Matthew Ezekial , circus animal trainer in Australia Born 2001 . 2021-10-15: It’s the end of an era for Australia’s last circus lion trainer Matthew Ezekial as he settles his pride of six African lions into early retirement. It’s a heartbreaking final act for the 20-year-old clown and lion trainer of Stardust Circus, as the much-loved carnivores are permanently transferred to the Central Coast Zoo in Wyong Creek. Mr. Ezekial originally grew up on a farm property near Kew before leaving the area at the age of 10. He joined the circus as a tent worker at age 17 and was later introduced to the lions by former trainer Glenn West.
