Stardust has rolled into town aboard 22 trucks and cars, setting up at Kully Bay park at Warrawong and was set to open on Friday night.

It is one of the few circuses in Australia that still has wild animals such as lions and monkeys, as well as small “trick ponies”. Stardust says its methods are inspected and approved by the RSPCA.

But the vegan and animal rights group Anonymous for the Voiceless (AV) Illawarra plans protests outside the venue.

AV member Emily Duncan, 22, will be there.

“Holding live animals in captivity and forcing them to perform tricks is atrocious and really unnecessary,” she said.

“Holding a live animal who is used to walking miles and miles a day in nature is cruel.”

And Wollongong High student Jessica Ryan, 16, said when she saw the lions this week in their fenced area they were pacing around, looking anxious.

“Exploitation of animals for entertainment should not be allowed – especially in circuses,” she said. “They’re wild animals – they have instincts they can’t fulfil because they live in cages.”

This will not come as a surprise to Stardust, who are used to protests when they come to town. They say the animals are bred in captivity and are treated well and the “animal welfare” section on its website says the RSPCA has given it the tick of approval.

“We love our animals,” Stardust says. “They are part of our family and integral to our identity as a circus. Their safety and comfort is of the utmost importance to us and we are dedicated to their care from birth, throughout their performing years and into retirement.

“Our animal enclosures are set up in full view of the public. Every day, many people visit the circus just to see our animals from outside our security fencing.

“We are occasionally inspected by the RSPCA and have always been found to comply and exceed all regulations.”

Ms Duncan said she had lost confidence in the RSPCA’s standards if they regarded caging lions and monkeys as appropriate treatment.