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Meet the Nepo Baby Turning the Catwalk into a Big Cat Sanctuary!

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Her mom gained widespread recognition when she became a prominent actress at the tender age of ten, landing her breakthrough role on the legendary BBC show Byker Grove.

Additionally, her father is both a conservationist and an entrepreneur, with an estimated wealth of approximately £200 million back in 2018.

At 21 years old, she has chosen to tread the paths set by her renowned parents, deciding to leave school early to focus on her passions in the fields of entertainment and environmental preservation.

However, she breaks away from the common pattern of being a ‘nepotism kid’, instead focusing on utilizing her platform for wildlife conservation advocacy. Her social media is overflowing with videos of adorable lion cubs, not famous personalities.

Initially gaining media attention as an infant, she became known worldwide following her parents’ decision to entrust her momentarily to a 200-pound gorilla during their customary family practice.

But can you guess who she is? 

It’s none other than Freya Aspinall, the daughter of Donna Air and Damian Aspinall!

21-year-old Donna crossed paths with wealthy Damian (who was 40 then) and found herself smitten.

In the year 2000, they first met at a dinner gathering, introduced by their common friend, the ex-It Girl Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. Over the next seven years, they were in a relationship that ended amicably in July 2007.

* In essence, Damian is the proprietor of The Aspinall Foundation, an organization that collaborates closely with Howletts Wild Animal Park, a venture initially established by his father, John Aspinall.

Or more casually:

* Essentially, Damian owns The Aspinall Foundation and it works hand-in-hand with Howletts Wild Animal Park, which was originally started by his dad, John Aspinall.

The Aspinall Foundation, established in 1984, is a UK-based charitable organization dedicated to furthering wildlife conservation efforts. It aims to release captive animals back into their natural habitats and also manages initiatives overseas to safeguard endangered species.

Operates both Howletts and Port Lympne Park, a sprawling 600-acre sanctuary that provides home to numerous rare and endangered creatures, including the United Kingdom’s largest black rhinoceros breeding group.

Freya carries on her father’s passion for conservation, spending much of her time nurturing diverse wildlife at a sanctuary. She’s being prepared to eventually assume his role as chairperson of the Aspinall Foundation.

Apart from inheriting her mother’s breathtaking beauty, she was signed as the youngest model by Storm, an agency made famous by Kate Moss, back in 2018.

Instead of spending much of her time strutting down runways, she dedicates her days to nurturing orphaned lion cubs and gorillas in parks, or travels to Africa to release them back into their natural habitats.

An influencer showcases the significance of conservation efforts on her Instagram account, posting touching videos of herself interacting affectionately with large cats and personally feeding gorillas through their habitats. This approach has garnered a substantial following of 1.5 million people.

In my line of work as a lifestyle expert, I pride myself on highlighting individuals who stand out from the crowd, and Freya is one such person. Unlike many in her industry, she’s not just a ‘nepo baby’. Instead, when she secured her modelling contract, she made it a point to leverage her platform to champion conservation causes.

Instead of labeling herself as a mini replica of her father Damian, she stated that if she were to land on a magazine cover in the future, she would prefer it to be showcasing her work as a conservationist rather than as a model.

In a conversation with the Financial Times, she candidly shared: ‘Growing up around animals, they’re an integral part of my life. It’s second nature to me – I’ve always had a clear vision of my career path.’

It’s not surprising that she has such a strong connection with animals since she was raised among gorillas at Howletts, being adopted by the adult females from a young age.

Every year without fail, I, an ardent enthusiast, would partake in a cherished tradition with my two beloved daughters, the radiant Tansy and the brilliant Clary, who were born of my 15-year union with the extraordinary Louise Sebag-Montefiore.

At that point in time, he explained to London’s Evening Standard his intentions for Freya: “It’s a customary practice. I might present her to a dominant female who will take her away, initiate intimate relations, and acquaint her with the others. I followed similar steps with my other daughters, now it’s Freya’s turn.

Donna wholeheartedly agreed with the plan as she felt Freya wouldn’t face any peril.

Damian added: ‘Why would I not trust them? I know them, I grew up with them. They are my friends’.

Freya isn’t at all hesitant about approaching unusual creatures up-close at the family’s wildlife sanctuary.

I simply adore Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Kent – it’s a place that truly captures my heart. Every time I visit, there’s an indescribable joy when I get to feed the majestic giraffes. It’s one of those spots where I feel most at peace and content.

Frequently, you’ll find her lovingly embracing and offering snacks to a duo of gorillas, Silverback Kifu and Tambabi, whom she has been acquainted with since their birth.

Over a span of several decades, Freya and her father have earned the trust that allows them to approach and engage with the gorillas in a manner that ensures their safety. They are the unique individuals capable of such interactions.

Howletts Wild Animal Park said: ‘This type of interaction takes years of trust, love and respect. 

Only Freya and Damian share their space with no one else. Building this bond has been a gradual process through genuine affection, reciprocal respect, and the establishment of trust over many years, without any underhand tactics or quick fixes.

They added: ‘Freya has been around animals in this way since she was a baby.

Animals typically communicate openly. Before entering an enclosure where Freya and Damian are, gorillas usually make it clear if they don’t wish to interact by using their physical cues or body language first.

As I revel in the magic of Freya’s 20th birthday, I find myself embracing my role as a ‘Lion Mama’, sharing this special day with one of the adorable cubs she nurtures. The lion cub and I are spending an enchanting slumber party evening together, making memories that will last a lifetime.

As a passionate admirer, I’ve found myself in the role of foster parent to Zemo and Zala, two magnificent cubs, after their heart-wrenching loss to uterine infection. In an effort to prepare them for their future in the wild, I’ve captured poignant moments of our bond, including us sharing a den as family.

Nevertheless, she clarifies to her audience that the lions are not being tamed for home life, as she states: “In case you’re curious about the lions in the house, please understand – they are not household pets by any means.

I’ve been taking care of them since their mother passed away, so I’ve had to nurture them myself. At night, they sleep next to me like they would with their mom because I am their primary caretaker. When they grow older, they will be returned to Africa to live in the wild again.

‘Absolutely no humanization or domestication occurs here! In fact, they regard me with admiration, as if I am a lion among lions. If you ever encounter these lions, they will attest to that truth. This point needs to be clarified since there are numerous people on social media who misconstrue animals and keep them as pets. This is an entirely different scenario!’

If I weren’t caring for them and helping them grow, they wouldn’t survive. We plan to release them back into their natural habitat.

I intended to share this picture to encourage a shift in perspective. Instead of viewing animals merely as pets, let’s appreciate them for their inherent beauty. This image serves as a tale of rewilding, showcasing our efforts to return these creatures to their natural habitats.

During a conversation with The Times in December, Freya shared that her existence centers on caring for these animals. Specifically, she’s been getting up every couple of hours due to the four lion cubs, warming their milk, chilling it, and dealing with severe sleep deprivation.

Occasionally, during the wee hours of 1:00 AM, I’d notice one of them breathing abnormally and hasten to take them to the vet, or they’d be unwell with vomiting or diarrhea. It’s essential to watch them closely. Taking care of them is akin to caring for a newborn.

Instead, she enthusiastically shared: “Since I stopped attending school at the age of 16, I’ve entirely dedicated my life to this endeavor. Animals have truly taken over my heart; they define who I am today. I spend each day in their company.

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2025-02-26 16:07

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