An animal park owner who famously let his own toddler play with gorillas says they would not attack a small child unless threatened.

Damian Aspinall - whose foundation runs Howletts near Canterbury and Port Lympne in Hythe - was commenting on the decision of a US zoo to shoot dead a gorilla after a four-year-old boy fell into its enclosure.

The incident has made headlines worldwide, with many condemning the zoo for its actions and others saying bosses had no choice but to kill the 17-year-old western lowland gorilla, Harambe.

VIDEO: Silverback gorilla captured on film dragging toddler around US closure. Some viewers may find this footage disturbing

Mr Aspinall – whose parks are world renowned for their groundbreaking conservation efforts - wrote on twitter he was “very sad”, saying it was hard to comment without the facts.

He added: “Knowing gorillas as I do, I can tell you that they will not just attack a small child unless threatened - more likely the opposite.

“We need to question the role of zoos now and in the future true conservation has to be protecting in the wild.”

Mr Aspinall sparked anoutcry from safety campaigners 25 years ago when he let 18-month-old daughter Tansy play with the gorillas at Howletts.

A series of images captured the moment the gorillas tenderly cradled her in her arms as well as rubbing noses, kissing and sniffing her.

Video of the incident at Cincinnati Zoo shows Harambe dragging the boy through a moat in its enclosure as onlookers scream.

It has been claimed footage released later actually shows the gorilla protecting the boy, with images of them appearing to hold hands.

Thane Maynard, director of Cincinnati Zoo, said he would make the same decision to shoot Harambe as he was agitated and hurting the four-year-old.

He added people making criticisms "don't understand primate biology... and the danger the child was in".

The boy’s mother, Michelle Gregg, wrote on Facebook: “"My son is safe and was able to walk away with a concussion and a few scrapes... no broken bones or internal injuries.

"As a society we are quick to judge how a parent could take their eyes off of their child and if anyone knows me I keep a tight watch on my kids.

"Accidents happen but I am thankful that the right people were in the right place today."