A HAMPSHIRE haulage firm took the mane road when they transported a massive lion statue across the country.

Pentalver Specialist Haulage Team, based in Southampton, were called in to carry the huge fibreglass sculpture from the docks at London gateway to Longleat Safari Park. The figure, standing 14ft tall, 26ft long and weighing almost three tonnes was bound for the safari park to take part in its 50th anniversary celebrations.

Pentalver were recruited by the aptly named Tigers Global Logistics, which has a close relationship with Bruce Little, the South African based sculptor, who made the lion. Tigers South Africa handled the shipment from source and engaged Pentalver to handle the UK delivery leg from the port to Longleat .

The lion was the loaded aboard 40ft open top container and was captured by many on their phones as it roared along the motorway.

Carl Wheeler, Specialist Haulage Transport Planner commented: “Pentalver were delighted to be involved in such a prestigious project.”

He said both We were first instructed to deliver the lion by crate, however the consignment was too high to travel by road on our super low loader, so our expert cargo handling team carefully removed the Lion sculpture from the casing. Our one stop shop service provided the customer and artist had ‘peace of mind knowing the sculpture was in safe hands’.