John Victor Aspinall was a prominent English zoo owner, conservationist, and the founder of the Aspinall Foundation. He was well-known for his controversial belief that humans should interact closely with dangerous animals, which he practiced at his Howletts and Port Lympne wild animal parks. Financing his conservation efforts through his exclusive gambling clubs in London, he attracted a wealthy and aristocratic clientele. Despite facing criticism for his unorthodox methods, his work significantly contributed to the breeding and conservation of endangered species.