Zoo owner Damian Aspinall says he has no intention of closing Howletts or Port Lympne - despite publicly declaring animals should not be kept as prisoners.

The 53-year-old had sparked fears he may shut the parks in Canterbury and Hythe after saying zoos should be phased out in 20 years.

But on Twitter this week he said the parks will remain open while there is a “need for real conservation”.

The father-of-three took over the animal parks from his late father John, who died in 2000, and continues the conservation work he started through The Aspinall Foundation.

Speaking on BBC 5 Live recently, Mr Aspinall spoke of the foundation’s recent project to send gorillas from his parks out to start new lives on a reserve in the Gabon in Africa.

He said he did not believe in keeping animals as “prisoners”, adding: “We have got to find a way of sending them back. Others have got to do it otherwise what’s the point? But zoos are stuck in a trap with 80% of their animals not endangered.

"The whole question of zoos has got to be looked at and they should probably be phased out in 20 years” - Damian Aspinall

“The whole question of zoos has got to be looked at and they should probably be phased out in 20 years.”

Mr Aspinall has also taken to Twitter to enforce his conservation message, saying: “Howletts is designed to be a breeding sanctuary for some or the world’s most rare and endangered species.

“Zoos are no longer viable if they do not take conservation seriously. I’m proud of the work we do to save endangered species from extinction. We treat our animals as guests, not prisoners.

“While there is a need for real conservation, I will not close Howletts and Port Lympne.”