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[Carrie McLaren <carrie AT stayfreemagazine.org>]

Donna Air to hand her baby over to a gorilla
http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_837713.html

November 12, 2003

Donna Air and her zoo-owner boyfriend Damian Aspinall intend to place 
their baby daughter in the care of a gorilla.

The couple plan to put Freya, who was born in September, in the 
gorilla enclosure at Howletts Zoo near Canterbury, Kent.

They will then let her be carried off by the female of the group.

Neither parent has any qualms about letting their daughter be taken 
off despite five keepers being killed by animals at Howletts and its 
sister park, Port Lympne, since 1980.

Mr Aspinall told the Evening Standard: "It is a ritual. I'll probably 
give her to the dominant female who will take her off and introduce 
her to the others."

The multi-millionaire said his two other daughters, Clary, 11, and 
Tansy, 14, had also been introduced to the gorillas at the zoo in the 
same way.

Both he and Miss Air approve of the plan and do not believe their 
daughter will be in any danger.

He said: "Why would I not trust them? I know them, I grew up with 
them. They are my friends."

Mr Aspinall took over running Howletts when his father, who 
encouraged close contact between animals and their keepers, died.

Since 1980 three keepers have been killed by tigers and two crushed 
to death by elephants at the two zoos, but gorillas are known for 
their gentle treatment of babies and children.

--
Carrie McLaren
Editor, Stay Free!
718.398.9324
www.stayfreemagazine.org
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