Veteran British naturalist David Attenborough has called for gorillas in zoos to be kept behind walls with peepholes rather than glass panels, in order to respect their privacy.
The 90-year-old television presenter spoke out after a gorilla briefly escaped on Thursday from its enclosure in London Zoo. Attenborough said the incident was “hardly surprising” when animals are subjected to intrusion.
He also said people should behave in a more respectful manner in zoos rather than clowning around trying to goad animals into a reaction.
But Attenborough, who has opened the eyes of millions of viewers to the wonders of the natural world during more than half a century in television, also said zoos play a vital role in preserving endangered species.
“They are wonderful animals, gorillas. They are animals which guard their privacy,” he told ITV television.