HOWLETTS owner Damian Aspinall is planning to place his three-month-old daughter in the care of a gorilla at his Bekesbourne wild animal park.

The multi-millionaire and his girlfriend Donna Air will put daughter Freya in a gorilla enclosure at Howletts and allow her to be carried off by the female of the group.

Mr Aspinall is carrying on the legacy of his late father John Aspinall who encouraged close contact between animals and keepers at Howletts and its sister park Port Lympne.

He said: "It is a ritual. I'll probably give her to the dominant female who will take her off and introduce her to the others."

This is not the first time that Mr Aspinall has allowed close contact between a family member and a gorilla. He did the same with his daughters 11-year-old Clary and 14-year-old Tansy.

He said: "I was introduced to the gorillas at a young age as was my brother and my two daughters.

"My daughters are the most important thing in my life and I would never knowingly put them in danger or in harm's way."

The couple will go ahead with the plan despite two keepers having been crushed to death by elephants and three keepers killed by tigers in the two parks since 1980.

By comparison gorillas are known for their gentle approach to babies and children.

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