Wildman Phil brings 30-plus wild animals, unique blend of education, entertainment to Greeley Stampede

As Greeley Stampede attendees make their way north from the Civitas Park Stage past the food court, they may hear a child let out an excited shriek.

If they walk by at the right time, they may even hear a collective “ooooh” or “ahhhhh,” or hear a group break out into laughter.

It’s just the Wildman Phil exhibit — on full display for the entirety of the Stampede.

“It’s all misunderstood creatures, that people have questions about,” Phil said. “Everything from turtles and tortoises, snakes, lizards, alligators, tarantulas, scorpions, centipedes. What I call the fun stuff.”

Along with the exhibit, Phil and his friend Critter Kate — or just Kate as her friends call her — put on a handful of shows a day.

“The whole idea is that these creatures are kind of misunderstood,” Phil said. “So we want people to understand them better.”

He also wants people to know that just because an animal may look dangerous, it doesn’t mean that they are.

“They might look big and scary,” Phil said. “But my brother looks big and scary and he’s not dangerous.”

Phil said he can’t remember which animal has been part of the show for the longest, but the newest addition is Coconut, a 5-month-old cockatiel.

“She’s got one whole trick down,” Phil said with a chuckle. “And I’m not going to tell you what it is. You gotta catch the show.”

Coconut was one of a handful of stars featured during Saturday afternoon’s presentation. Kate showed off critters ranging from a less-than-3-ounce tarantula to a 35-pound reticulated python.

During the show, a handful of volunteers from the crowd got to interact with another one-trick pony — a bearded dragon.

“He knows one trick and it is this,” Kate said to a handful of chuckles from the crowd. “Stay.”

“Laugh all you want,” she added. “You’re happy that lizard is staying right now.”

Wildman Phil and Critter Kate will be putting on shows several times a day for the entirety of the Greeley Stampede. Between shows, the 30-plus animals are on display for people of all ages to check out.

One of the animals is Stumpy, a 25-year-old African spurred tortoise.

Stumpy — named because he’s missing a front foot — was left in a milk crate on Phil’s front step more than 20 years ago.

After Stumpy spent about a year making Phil’s yard his home, Phil and his neighbor attached a bracket with a wheel in lieu of his foot — and the legend was born.

Stumpy has more than 1,500 followers on Facebook and is now a full-time part of Wildman Phil’s exhibit.

Phil said the bracket is pain free, and is designed to break away as Stumpy’s shell grows. The wheel is replaced every year, while the bracket is replaced every other year.

For more information on Wildman Phil and his act, go to Wildmanphil.net. For more on the Greeley Stampede, including a full list of events, go to GreeleyStampede.org.