Six Stardust Circus lions move to Central Coast Zoo for their retirement

A two-hour road trip transporting six fully grown lions to their new home could have been a disaster, but their new owner ‘planned for the worst and hoped for the best’.

It was always going to be hairy with the potential for disaster: the transfer of six full-grown lions to their new home on the Central Coast.

The sheer size of the beasts, the location of their new ­enclosure two hours north, the semi-trailer that hadn’t been moved from the Richmond property for months – and the unpredictability of one of the most ferocious species to walk the planet.

But the three brothers and three sisters boarded their awaiting truck cabin with relative ease.

Lion trainer Matt Smith has a final play with the lions before they are transported north. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The lions check put their new enclosure. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

After a minor hiccup with the vehicle’s mechanics, the siblings were on their way to their new purpose-built sleeping quarters and playground at Central Coast Zoo.

The move marked the end of months of uncertainty and the beginning of retirement.

“Everything went well and it’s a real privilege to have them here,” Central Coast Zoo team leader of exotic animals Caroline Shemwell said.

“They settled in really well. They’re used to being taken to different places with the circus previously, so they handled it very well.

“They’re lying around the dens enjoying themselves.”

They look cuddly, but the operation to move them was a delicate one. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Ms Shemwell, who has worked for RSPCA, Taronga Zoo and Tasmania Zoo, said her team had “planned for the worst and hoped for the best”.

“Of course, with all wild ­animals we have to cover for what might go wrong and hope that it doesn’t. And it didn’t,” she said.

Zoo owner Jenny James, who anxiously anticipated the arrival of the siblings, said the transfer, to everyone’s amazement, was very calm.

“They were happy, then they played, they walked into the dens, jumped up on to the platforms,” she said.

“We were very lucky.”

All aboard! The lions get on the truck to set off for their new home. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Their trainer Matt Smith, who has worked with the lions at the circus for many years, was on hand to keep them calm, and will work at the zoo for the next few months to help with settling in, and with familiarising the zoo’s lion keepers and other staff about what the animals need.

“From what we saw today I don’t think there’s going to be any problems,” Ms James said.

“It’s a very big enclosure, bigger than they are used to, so they were very inquisitive.

“I think they will settle in just fine.”

Ms James said she was thrilled to be able to offer the lions a home so the whole pride could stay together.

The lions had previously been a major attraction for Stardust Circus, the travelling family circus that has been performing with lions for half a century. They had to retire the siblings and four monkeys in April after being unable to renew insurance.

Long-time trainer Matt Smith grabs another hug. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The whole pride is settling into their new home on the Central Coast. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“We tried everywhere,” circus matriarch Jan Lennon said at the time. “We couldn’t get it at all and that was the end of that.

“All the zoos have got enough lions, you can’t just throw them in with others, they’ll kill each other. So they have to have separate accommodation for them.”

The Department of Primary Industries has approved the structures at the new Wyong Creek zoo which is on the same property as ­Amazement Farm and Fun Park. It is due to open to the public after lockdown.

The new enclosure was ­inspected for safety and to ­ensure animal welfare before the furry family arrived.

The lions were with Stardust Circus for many years …

… but their new home had frozen treats! Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Ms James is the licensee and permit holder. She has previously res­ponded publicly to allegations her son, who was charged with animal cruelty, was the operator of the ­facility, ­confirming he was only a ­consultant. The matter is before the court on appeal and Ms James’ son is defending the charges.

Dr Katie Hankins, the zoo vet who has 26 years’ ­experience, described the ­arrival of the pride on Friday as “super exciting”.

“It will be a really fun challenge to adapt their circus-based behaviours to co-operative care behaviours so we can give them a great chapter two of their lives,” she said.

The zoo is also home to meerkats, servals, monkeys alligators and tortoises.

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