Behind the Bastards Part Two: Lord Aspinall: The Gambling King of London
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Nov 16, 2023 Former gambling king of London turned owner of the deadliest zoo in history, Lord Aspinall, is the guest. The podcast delves into Lord Aspinall's unique approach to animal care, his far-right beliefs, and his disturbing admiration for Hitler's eugenics ideas. It also explores his involvement in clandestine acquisitions, toxic social circles, and the tragic death of a gorilla in his zoo.
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Aspinall's Radical Animal Philosophy
- John Aspinall saw himself as a defender of animals against human oppression.
- He blamed poor, mostly non-white people for harming animals and supported extreme population control.
Aspinall's Gorilla Bonding Efforts
- Aspinall aimed to befriend adult male gorillas, spending intimate time with them.
- His efforts led to successful breeding of captive gorillas despite initial challenges.
Gorilla Depression at Aspinall Zoo
- Aspinall bought a traumatized gorilla and tried soothing it with his mother-in-law.
- The gorilla died of depression months later, showing human logic failed on animals.