A peek inside Lion Man’s Zion park

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Wed, 10 Aug 2011 7:00p.m.

Receivers entered the park earlier today claiming $2.7 million is owed

Receivers entered the park earlier today claiming $2.7 million is owed

Patricia Busch has been sole director of Zion Wildlife Park since she raised loans to pay off her son's -  the Lion Man's - debt.

She terminated Craig Busch's employment two years later, sparking a very public and both financially and personally devastating feud with her son.

Receivers entered the park earlier today claiming $2.7 million is owed.

Patricia and her daughter Megan have never talked about the dispute on television, but now with the future of the park hanging in the balance both women are speaking out.

They invited Natasha Utting and our cameraman Dan Grade to Zion for an exclusive peak into their lives with the big cats.

Watch the video.

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Comments

17 Feb 2012 12:55p.m.

angie Williams wrote:

For gods sake it's the cats that matter, you all need to put away your differnces and get together to sort it out, coulnd't you just get organised and get either donations from around the world from people who care, or involve some wealthy people who believe in conservation, David atinborough, richard branson, paul mccartney to name a few. Use your heads together and stop butting them together. These cats deserve so much more. They are there because of YOU !!

13 Aug 2011 08:32a.m.

Kevin Middleton wrote:

Mum know's best."Mind your own business"to all the facebook hate people,it's the animals here not opinions from the wings.As I have stated many years ago Mrs Busch was a life saver for that park so respect is required here.It is also very easy to see where Craig gets his mojo from. I look forward to seeing the park back on it's feet.....with or without Craig there,if local council are involved the identity of the park will suffer.Still nice to see a 70 year old Kiwi lady take charge for all those years & amazing why no rich-listers have not got behind this New Zealand styled venture.

13 Aug 2011 04:20a.m.

Pia Persson wrote:

How can anyone say, that Craig doesn't care about his Cats ? How can anyone be so stupid ? Anyone who has seen Craig together with his Cats, will not have any doubt, that Craig LOVES his Cats deeply. His eyes are shining, when he is together with his Cats. How can any mother on this Earth be so cruel to her son, as Patricia has been to Craig ? No matter how much Money Patricia has given to the Park, it can't justify her evil behaviour.

13 Aug 2011 02:43a.m.

John Jugalaks wrote:

Let bygones be bygones - they are all family. If Craig really loves his cats as he claims, then he must overcome these differences and return to the farm and work together with his mum and sister, for the sake of his 'beloved cats'. He was no angel, and neither are they. Grow up, put your differences aside and save the cats.

12 Aug 2011 11:40p.m.

k thompson wrote:

the only hate i have seen on the fan page was the often incoherant rambling abuse meagan often directed at the page and her fellowers who would often troll the page under other names trying to cause trouble .the only winners in his mess are the lawers so much money has been wasted on court and lawers fees it would have payed the debts over and over if mrs b wanted this over why is she still dragging it through the courts .

12 Aug 2011 05:49p.m.

Kaz wrote:

I used to work at Zion. Both Craig and Dalu warned me about Abu - Craig said "He is a stroppy cat" and Dalu said "He is the most dangerous cat here". For Patricia to turn around and say there were no issues with that particular cat is a lie. But then, that's what she does best.

12 Aug 2011 03:35p.m.

Al wrote:

Is the park still open to the public?

11 Aug 2011 10:01p.m.

Robertawn wrote:

OMG they are so beautiful - i visited in dec 2009 and they were awesome them and still are watching this video has broken my heart to think they could be brokem away from each other and worse Pat/Megan lose this family of cats - this cannot happen - Please save zion lets join together and be a part of this these wonderful cat's lives

11 Aug 2011 09:29a.m.

Elizabeth Clark wrote:

Yesterday Charles Cadwallader former National Chief Inspector of the NZSPCA ended his association with Mr Busch. He announced this on www.injustice.co.nz The lives of 36 cats and one baboon now hang in the balance. I agree with Brian's comment. Council need to seriously look at helping to support the park. Northland has no facility like ZWG. Auckland Zoo is over two hours drive away. We're launching a campaign today to fight for the lives of the animals and for the park to remain in Northland. The benefits to Northland would be tremendous

11 Aug 2011 08:56a.m.

Sherrina Avery wrote:

@Amanda Jones. Craig's facebook page is not a hate page. I have been on his page for the past 2 and a half years and do not recall any hatred and never has the police had to be involved so please get your facts right. Craig wants those cats back more than anything.