THE STORY SO FAR 2002 to 2004 ZION WILDLIFE GARDENS & THE LIONMAN In 2002 having mustered a collection
of some 18 large cats, Craig set up Zion Wildlife Gardens, near Whangarei. www.zionwildlifegardens.co.nz/ There are currently 36 big cats at the park. In 2003 Phil Smith, director of Great Southern Television (GSTV) approached Craig about filming a TV series “The Lionman”. The series, funded by TVNZ, was filmed over 2003/2004 and went to air in 2004. Two further series were made and “The Lionman” is now loved by millions of people around the world in over 100 countries. http://www.greatsoutherntv.com/shows/lionman/ 2005 and 2006 THE 2006 AGREEMENT In 2005, following a period of personal difficulty, Craig’s
mother, Patricia, moved into the park to assist him. In 2006 Patricia offered to help Craig refinance the park. An agreement was entered into between Craig, Patricia, Zion Wildlife Gardens and Country Developments. http://www.scribd.com/doc/22562760/2006-Contract Craig was asked to resign as a director and sign over the voting rights for his shares to Patricia. A 12.5% share in Zion Wildlife Gardens and Country Developments was signed over to Patricia. The loan was secured against the park property in Kamo and was to be repaid from business proceeds with the ultimate objective of Craig being restored as director and having control of the park returned to him. Zion Wildlife Gardens is the park operating company and Country Developments own the land on which the park is located. l ocated. Craig remains a major shareholder in both companies. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=12 http://www.facebook.com/hom e.php#/photo.php?pid=1271828&id=43253796 71828&id=43253796601 601 2007 CONTROVERSY In May 2007 Craig was convicted of an assault on his former
partner, Karen Greybrook. The assault arose from an incident in January 2005 where Craig came home to find his partner in bed with two other people. Of the 11 charges brought, all but 2 were dropped as there was no evidence. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10441295 and http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10441487 Karen Greybrook died in June 2011.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10750866
Also in 2007 a further agreement was signed http://www.scribd.com/doc/64539642/2007-Agreement-Wildlife-Pictures-C-Bush-PBusch but the relationship between Craig and his mother deteriorated. Park staff said that they were instructed not to work with Craig, speak to him or have anything to do with him. http://www.facebook.com/note.php? saved&&suggest¬e_id=1370975149 saved&&suggest& note_id=137097514918&id=4325379660 18&id=43253796601#/video/video.php? 1#/video/video.php? v=129108107048 2008
In April 2008, a volunteer was bitten by a lion http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10506953 As Craig was concerned for safety standards at the park, he instructed that all interactive tours at the park be suspended until further notice. In June 2008, Craig felt that the welfare of the animals was being compromised compromised by the ongoing dispute between him and the ZWG management management and he made a report to MAF. CRAIG IS DISMISSED & GLEN HOLLAND IS APPOINTED OPERATOR OF ZWG On November 3rd 2008 Craig was dismissed from Zion Wildlife
Gardens. Since he was no longer l onger a ZWG employee Craig’s Operator licence was revoked by MAF. Glen Holland, a former director of Auckland Zoo took over as MAF Operator and manager of the park. Craig began a personal grievance claim for unfair dismissal. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2444571/Lion-man-sacked-without-warning although a request for interim reinstatement was refused http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10547671 You can find the ERA determination here http://www.scribd.com/doc/9570954/Craig-Busch-ERA-Aa-415-08 Also in December 2008 an interim injunction was sought via the court, pending the main action, which was denied http://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/cases/busch-v-zion-wildlife-gardens-limited-and-ors 2009 TIGER ATTACK ON DIMITRI PRICE In February 2009, employee, Dimitri Price was
bitten by a white tiger. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm? c_id=1&objectid=10557539
He later spoke out about his safety concerns at the park. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3lSi5tJPn0&feature=related DECLAWING Also In February a MAF report was released. We issued a statement
regarding this http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=103480289918 You can read the MAF report here http://www.scribd.com/doc/15903006/MAF-Report-Zion-Declawing-InvestigationFeb-2009 FATAL TIGER ATTACK ON DALU MNCUBE - ZWG IS CLOSED The Employment
relations authority hearing began on 26th May 2009 but was tragically interrupted on the second day by an incident at ZWG, where Dalu MnCube, a senior cat handler was killed and Abu, a male white tiger, was shot dead. Craig gave a press conference following the tragedy which you can view here http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/one-news-extra-craig-busch-press-conference-21-522762345 There are further news reports about the incident here http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/zookeeper-killed-doing-he-loved-2759113 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10575468 Zion Wildlife Gardens was closed down http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/lion-man-s-park-shut-down-after-mauling-2762262
As the dispute became more bitter, allegations were made in the media, regarding Craig. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10575052 There were also various unsubstantiated reports of animal cruelty. It is important to note that Craig was not dismissed for any reason connected with animal welfare or animal cruelty. His licence from MAF was revoked as he was no longer employed by ZWG and for no other reason. ZWG RE-OPENS - TIM HUSBAND IS APPOINTED MAF OPERATOR The park re-
opened just under a month later with a new operator, Tim Husband. http://www.zooworks.net/ DALU In July 2009 it was revealed in a 20/20 TV programme that Dalu MnCube was
in NZ under a false passport. http://tvnz.co.nz/20-20-news/20-keeper-s-secret-2829256
THE ERA AND THE HIGH COURT On 3rd August 2009 Craig decided to withdraw
his grievance claim against ZWG, as he was pursuing this matter via the High Court as explained here http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=130005189918 Zion Wildlife Gardens made a counterclaim against Craig which was heard in part on 3rd and 4th August 2009. The hearing continued on the 25th September and again on 29th September and was concluded on 20th October. The counter claim related to return of property and a claim for loss of revenue caused by Craig cancelling interactive tours for safety reasons. The park alleges that it was an attempt to sabotage the park. There was also a claim for additional security expenses. A decision regards the return of property was made in November . http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=198964129918 PAW PROJECT ZWG began a fund raising effort with regard to corrective paw
surgery for the declawed big cats. http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/northland/local-news/whangareileader/3044679/Help-needed-for-ops-on-declawed-cats%20 and http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=196607699918 DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR CHARGES In November 2009 the Department of
Labour confirmed that charges would be laid in connection with the death of Dalu http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local/news/500000-fine-possible-for-daludeath/3907588/ PATRICIA BUSCH IS APPOINTED MAF OPERATOR On 1st December 2009 Tim
Husband left ZWG and the MAF Operator is now Patricia Busch. DEATH OF SHIA On 4th December, 2009 a much loved barbary lioness, Shia, twin
sister of Zion, died suddenly at the park; an autopsy is awaited. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10614086 There are also reports that one of the park pigs, acquired in August, was shot due to illness and the other pig returned to the owner. 2010 DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR CHARGES The charges were due to be heard in
Whangarei District Court on 20th January 2010. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10620551 The case was postponed until 18th February http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/zion-wildlife-gardens-case-adjourned-3335884 It was then adjourned again without plea until April 7th 2010.
TIGER ALLEGATIONS In March 2010 allegations regards the whereabouts of the
body of the white tiger, Abu, shot during the attack on Dalu, were raised on this Facebook page. http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local/news/zion-tiger-remainsnot-sold/3911404/ We responded here – http://www.facebook.com/notes/nz-lionman-craig-busch/w http://www.facebook.com/note s/nz-lionman-craig-busch/where-is-abu/4025683999 here-is-abu/402568399918 18 On 26th March Tim Husband complained to the media about various issues, including death threats and harassment. http://www.scribd.com/doc/28972208/Northern-Advocate-26-03-2010 DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR CHARGES On 7th April it was confirmed that the two
entities charged are Zion Wildlife Gardens and Zion Wildlife Services. One charge per company has been dropped. The lawyer for ZWG/ZWS entered a plea of Not Guilty and a status hearing was scheduled for 6th July. This was postponed until 24th August as ZWG requested more time to prepare for their defence http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/3555822/Wildlife-park-pleads-not-guilty-tocharges http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10636712 OWNERSHIP OF THE BIG CATS On 21 April 2010 three white tigers were moved
from ZWG to Pouakai Zoo in New Plymouth. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3618877/White-bengal-tigers-roar-in-to-Pouakai-Zoo This raised issues regarding the ownership of the cats. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3635857/Tigers-at-centre-of-ownership-stoush The issue has been raised before during the Employment Relations dispute last year. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10600318.. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10600318 ZION, GANDOR & SHIKIRA In July 2010, we received information that a new
lioness had been introduced to Zion, who had been alone since the death of this sister, Shia. ZWG refused to release any information in this respect. It has now been confirmed that the identity of this lioness is Shikira, the life long partner of Gandor. DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR CHARGES On 24th August 2010 various matters
were discussed before the judge. A further hearing was scheduled for 1st November. On 29th October it was announced that ZWG would not be amending their plea from Not Guilty and so the case would now go to trial. DEATH OF SITA In October 2010, ZWG announced that Sita, an orange bengal
tiger had been killed by white tiger, Jadhu during a mating attempt. This caused a wave of outrage from fans http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm? c_id=1&objectid=10681367
2011 DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR CHARGES A hearing was arranged for 24th January
2011 to set the date for the trial hearing which was expected to last 8 days and take place in February 2011. The hearing was then adjourned until 11th February. The hearing, which was expected to last 8 days was scheduled to start in Whangarei Court on 27th June 2011. ERA A decision regards the balance of this claim was announced in May 2011. ZWG
lost their counterclaim for the loss of revenue due to cancelled tours - over $500,000 had been claimed. They also lost a claim for security expenses of just under $100,000. Craig was instructed to pay approximately $25,000 in connection with the missing property http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local/news/lion-man-to-pay-zion-20k/3953333/ In the meantime a High Court action for Craig to regain control of the park continues. A trial date is set for February 2012 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm? c_id=1&objectid=10604604 DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR CHARGES On 27th June 2011, a guilty plea was entered and the companies were duly convicted. http://www.3news.co.nz/Zion-
pleads-guilty-over-lion-keeper-death/tabid/423/articleID/216633/Default.aspx A sentencing hearing was scheduled for 14th July, and was then postponed until 19th August. ZW Services has ceased to trade http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages http://www.business.govt.nz/c ompanies/app/ui/pages/companies/190149 /companies/1901497 7 There were two features on Campbell Live regarding the death of Dalu http://www.3news.co.nz/Was-Dalu-Mncube-the-victim-of-a-familyfeud/tabid/817/articleID/217802/Default.aspx http://www.3news.co.nz/Lion-Man-warned-of-Zionsrisks/tabid/817/articleID/217128/Default.aspx RECEIVERSHIP An initiative to regain the park was started.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5261904/Lion-Man-could-buy-big-cat-park-from-mum In July, Mrs Busch claimed that these negotiations were "not true." http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10737988
On 27th July 2011 Zion Wildlife Gardens and Country Developments are placed in receivership. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/classifieds/linead.cfm? pillar=11&subpillar=42&adid=8265615001 http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/local/news/zion-wildlife-gardens-locks-receiversout/3961606/ Craig announces he has made an offer to the receivers to take back the park. http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=101503 http://www.facebook.com/note .php?note_id=10150329319589919 29319589919 DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR CHARGES On 16th August 2011 Mrs Busch advised
she would be revising her plea to Not Guilty. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5453496/Zion-applies-to-change-guilty-plea BANKRUPTCY AND LIQUIDATION On 22nd August 2011 there was a bankruptcy
action brought by Mrs Busch’s former assistant, Bell Bruun. Ms Bruun was paid out but other debts were brought to the attention of the court, including $180,000 allegedly owed to Mrs Busch’s former solicitors. http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/lion-man-tries-to-bankrupt-hismum2/1077223/ The IRD then filed for Zion Wildlife Gardens to be placed in liquidation. li quidation. http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/whangareileader/5490617/Lion-park-in-liquidation FOXY Foxy, the only baboon at the park, dies age 30.
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=239588432752187 Also in August it was revealed that there had been a cheetah escape earlier in the year http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10749385 http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/cheetahs-escape-sabotagebusch/1091401/ ZWG said that it was sabotage and there was a report of a prior break in at the park. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5603014/Fence-breach-sparks-security-fears-atwildlife-park The legal wrangle regards the Department of Labour plea continues http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/busch-plea-bid-goes-to-liquidator/1098889/
i s revised to hear NOVEMBER 2011 The court hearing scheduled for February 2012 is the case regarding ownership of the big cats. The date had originally been pencilled in to hear the High Court case. It is i s not known at this point when the original High Court case will be heard. http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/court-to-decidewho-owns-zions-big-cats1/1186252/ The Guilty plea for the Department of Labour case remains in place and the case is scheduled for sentencing at Whangarei Court on 2nd December. sentencing for the DOL case case Judge Jan –Marie Doogue DECEMBER 2011 In the sentencing said had it not been for the weak financial position of the companies, she would have imposed substantial fines to reflect their culpability in Mr MnCube's death. A $60,000 reparation was ordered for the mother of Dalu’s young daughter. http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/zion-ordered-to-pay-60000-towidow/1196449/
2012 PARK TO BE SOLD Mrs Busch’s lawyer Evgeny Orlov, claims that there are plans
for the cats to be euthanized and sparks off a public outrage. http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/zion-big-cats-could-be-put-down-bymatthew-backhou/1240245/ Rabobank refute that in this statement http://www.facebook.com/notes/cee4life/rabobank-me http://www.facebook.com/note s/cee4life/rabobank-media-statement-regardingdia-statement-regardingeuthanization-of-zion-wildlife-gardens-big-ca/315400048498247 A hearing is held in Auckland High Court on January 18th and it is confirmed that a buyer for the park has been found http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/offer-ontable-for-lion-park2/1241587/ Details of the buyer are not disclosed but it is confirmed the cats are safe http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&o http://www.nzherald.co.nz/busine ss/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10779571 bjectid=10779571 It was reported that Mrs Busch and Michael Bailey intend to sue Craig for defamation in relation to a You Tube video posted in August 2010. http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/mum-sues-lion-m http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz /news/mum-sues-lion-man-for-slander/1244200/ an-for-slander/1244200/ On 27th January the court freed up the receivers to proceed with the sale of ZWG although details of the purchaser have not been released. The receivers confirm that they have no interest in the cats ownership case which is scheduled to take place in mid February. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10781605
PARK IS SOLD AND CRAIG RETURNS
On 31st January the park was sold to new owners, Zion Wildlife Kingdom and it was announced Craig would be back at the park http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/pwc-partners-colin-mccloy-and-davidbridgman-recei/1255596/ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10782629 http://news.msn.co.nz/nationalnews/8412988/whangarei-big-cat-park-to-reopen
MAF confirmed that Patricia Busch is to remain the Operator of the facilityhttp://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10783230 facilityhttp://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10783230
The cats’ ownership case, scheduled for 14 th February was postponed until March.
