John Aspinall (1926-2000) was a gambler and zoo owner. In 1956 he set up a private zoo, Howletts Zoo, near Canterbury, UK. In 1973 because of need for further space Aspinall set up Port Lympne Zoo. Needing more finance he opened both zoos to the public in 1975.

Both zoos have been run by the John Aspinall Foundation since 1983.

The zoos are known for being unorthodox, for the encouragement of close personal relationships between staff and animals, and for their breeding of rare and endangered species.