Cross became superintendent of the new Surrey Zoological Gardens, and the animals were moved to Royal Surrey Gardens, in the grounds of Walworth Manor House in Kennington. Many of the exotic animals were housed in a large circular domed glass conservatory, in circumference with more than of glass. The collection expanded in the following years to include lions, tigers, an Indian rhinoceros, an orang-utan, and several giraffes. Cross retired in 1844, and he died in Kennington in 1854. His wife, Mary, predeceased him. The zoo became run down after Cross retired, and the animals were sold off in 1856, to be replaced by Surrey Music Hall.