0n Sunday 4 May 2025, Canberra’s iconic Jamala Wildlife Lodge at the National Zoo and Aquarium celebrates ten years since it was officially opened by Sir Peter Cosgrove. Since then, both Jamala and the Zoo have won myriad awards and countless hearts. Julie Samaras sat down with the owners, Richard and Maureen Tindale, to talk about their beloved family business and what motivates them to keep doing what they love.

In a world increasingly driven by profit and progress, it’s rare to find a business that exists not to make money – but to make a difference. For Richard and Maureen Tindale, the journey to creating Jamala Wildlife Lodge and transforming the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra wasn’t born from a business plan, but from a deep love of animals and a desire to help save species on the brink.

Long before cheetahs wandered past guest windows or giraffes poked their heads into treetop balconies, the Tindales had left behind their corporate lives. “We sold our businesses because we’d seen people become consumed by it,” Richard reflects. “We wanted a different path.”

This realisation took them on a journey around the globe — from the Amazon to Nepal, from Siberia to South Africa — mostly on a mission to witness big cats in the wild. But the joy of those sightings was tempered by a sobering realisation: these majestic animals were vanishing. “We came to the conclusion that there weren’t many left. At this rate, in 30 or 40 years a lot of species could be gone,” Richard says.

The couple’s life changed when they returned from one of these trips to find Canberra’s struggling aquarium once again in receivership. Sensing a chance to take action, they made a bold decision. “We thought maybe we could create a breeding program for endangered species, especially big cats,” Richard says. The property was run-down, with an expensive-to-run aquarium, a small animal park and a problematic bistro. But where others saw risk, they saw opportunity.

What followed was a leap of faith — redesigning the facility to create a family home onsite and building a zoo almost from scratch. The family moved in on Christmas Eve 2001, only to be greeted by a massive bushfire sweeping through the adjacent pine forest. “The fire was twice as high as the trees,” Richard recalls. “We had to let animals out — fortunately, we didn’t have lions or tigers at that stage.” That bushfire, and the 2003 firestorm 13 months later, tested their resolve early on. “That was our introduction — two bushfires in our first three years.”

Undeterred, they pressed on. With the help of their six children, they transformed the space into something far greater than a traditional zoo. The focus became conservation, education and creating exceptional animal encounters that deeply connect visitors to wildlife. At times, all six children, and some grandchildren, have worked at the zoo. Today, their daughter Shelley, who gained experience in zookeeping at Taronga, is a multi-skilled director. Son Ryan, a carnivore keeper, now leads the care of the zoo’s pride of lions, tigers and leopards.

“It was never about making money,” Richard says. “It was always about building something meaningful.”

The creation of Jamala Wildlife Lodge, which opened in 2014, took that mission to a whole new level. Inspired by luxury safari lodges in Africa, the idea was simple yet revolutionary: create a space where people could stay overnight and experience wildlife in ways they never imagined — like waking up eye-to-eye with a lion or having breakfast as a giraffe nibbles nearby. All the authentic, magnificent African-inspired decor and design is Maureen’s handiwork.

“We thought, how can we take this even further?” says Richard. “We already had the zoo — what if we brought people into the animals’ world?” The result was not just an award-winning, five-star accommodation and dining experience, but one of the most unique animal experiences in the world.

Yet for all its luxury, Jamala has a purpose at its core. Every visit supports the Zoo’s conservation efforts. Through their involvement with the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA), the Tindales have played a significant role in breeding programs for endangered species like Sumatran tigers, Sri Lankan leopards and sun bears. These programs are meticulously managed, with genetic diversity strictly tracked by international coordinators.

“When we bred our leopards, one went to Mogo and another to Singapore,” says Richard. “It’s not just about breeding — every animal has a place to go, and the genetic mix has to contribute to the survival of the species.”

When the Tindales first began expanding the Zoo, it became a refuge for animals from heartbreaking pasts. Many, like bears rescued from circuses, came from horrific conditions. “They all had sad beginnings, but they’ve had happy endings here,” Richard says.

Then there’s Solo, the cheetah chosen for this magazine’s front cover. Born a singleton — a rarity that can limit a cheetah’s development — Solo was paired with Zama, a high-energy dog, to provide companionship. Their bond lasted four joyful years, and Solo became an ambassador of resilience. “He’s representative of what we’re about,” Richard says. “Every animal deserves a chance to live their best lives.”

Beyond animals, the heart of the operation is family. Six Tindale children have worked in various roles, and even some of the grandkids have been involved. Their workforce has grown from just a handful to over 230 dedicated staff – from zookeepers to receptionists — all driven by the same passion. “Zoos are not a highly paid industry,” Richard admits. “But our staff are here because they love it, they love animals. They want to make a difference.”

Looking to the future, the Tindales are expanding again — adding a new, versatile three-bedroom bungalow designed for larger families and guests seeking extra privacy, like celebrities who have stayed at Jamala (such as Bill Bailey, John Cleese and Jean-Claude Van Damme to name a few). They’re also exploring lower-cost options like glamping to make the experience more accessible.

“We do it bit by bit,” says Richard. “We’re not backed by big government grants. Everything we do comes from Jamala.”

The accolades continue to roll in: best restaurant in Canberra, silver medal for Best Major Tourist Attraction in Australia. But for Richard and Maureen, the real reward is simpler. “If I ever feel low, I come down at 11am and just listen to the guests,” Richard says. “Their reactions — how much they love it — it lifts you instantly.”

For the Tindales, Jamala Wildlife Lodge and the National Zoo and Aquarium are more than a business. They’re a legacy of love, family, and fierce dedication to wildlife. “This is our life,” Maureen says simply.

As the world races on, the Tindales remind us of something deeply important: that real impact doesn’t always come from big gestures. Sometimes, it starts with one cheetah, one enclosure, one guest gazing into the eyes of an animal, and understanding what’s at stake.

For more information, visit nationalzoo.com.au

To stay overnight at Jamala, visit jamalawildlifelodge.com.au or call 02 6287 8444.