Zoos play a vital role in preserving endangered species and consideration to animals.

“Sometimes visitors to zoos are not respectful and they start shrieking or waving their arms in order to get the poor gorilla to do something.

“They are not just animals. They are related to us. They value their privacy. Just imagine what it’s like to be there.”

Attenborough said it would be nice to think creatures such as mountain gorillas were safe in the wild but zoos preserve species under threat of extinction.

“It’s a pity they’re always in danger,” he said. “If we could get rid of that then perhaps there would be no need for zoos.

“It is important for people to be able to see what these wonderful creatures are like and to understand the responsibility that the human race has towards animals.”