Left behind at Zion Wildlife Park

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Wed, 01 Feb 2012 7:00p.m.

Patricia Busch

Patricia Busch

If there's anything constant at Zion Wildlife Gardens, it's change.

Yesterday new owners took control of the wildlife park, and existing operator Patricia Busch found she couldn't leave the park without running the risk that she wouldn't be let back in.

With the threat of eviction hanging over the operator's head, reporters kept vigil outside the gate while cars came and went.

Ms Busch’s daughter Megan had spent seven hours in Whangarei cells yesterday after being trespassed from her home at Zion.

The locks have since been changed at the head keeper's house, and she isn't allowed back - or even on the road leading to the park.

Patricia Busch has been given a list of conditions, and she must comply or face eviction. One condition is that she cannot instruct the new landlord’s staff.

She asked security to let her lawyer in - but they refused.

So what will become of Patricia, daughter Megan, and the park that is their home?

Watch the video for the full report

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Comments

07 Apr 2012 09:59p.m.

Heather wrote:

I am so pleased Craig is back with his big Cats. Lets just support him and the new owners and wish them every success under the new name. The cats are obviously happy to have Craig back too. Best of luck!

06 Apr 2012 10:50a.m.

Steve wrote:

Well i have to say it would be good to have Craig back, do i have to remind his haters that these animals can proberbly give one of the most character reference to anyone about a person because believe me if they did not respect craig he would not be here today he would have been mauled years ago, if the cats respond to him with being playful to him then that shows the big cats respect to him.Good luck Craig, the right person for the job is back!!

06 Mar 2012 01:34a.m.

Elmarie wrote:

Congrats Craig I am very happy that u r back with ur cats what I don't understand is why this all happened, I hope everything can be sorted out. I don't understand why they say u r dangerous for the cats, as far as I can collect from the videos ur rules were broken and that is why Dalu died. His death is on their heads, I have seen on the tv series on Natura the way u have handled the cats and we have seen the love they have for u and trust me I am a cat lover, they would kill u without 1 thought if they did not trust and love u, as far as I can see u r still alive and well. To hell with everyone as long as those cats are well taken care of and loved. Love from South Africa

14 Feb 2012 08:31p.m.

Max wrote:

All I can say is, it has been a 'HELLUVA' 3 years for the LIONMAN! The final outcome of this 'sorry saga' has FINALLY given CRAIG BUSCH something positive! To the anti-Busch Brigade,for myself it IS 'Sweet Vindication'! The man should NEVER have been booted from HIS Park! I have nothing personally against Mrs Busch, except for her 'advisers', the number of who have come & gone, is ridiculous! This 'mess' could have been 'sorted' years ago, if Mrs B had not been such a stubborn old woman! That she is NOW crying 'poor', what are we supposed to do? She sacked the goose that laid the golden egg, so there is an end to it! Do humans really believe that we visited ZWKINGDOM,to just see the Cats? These animals can be found much closer, all over the World. The 'draw card' to ZWG WAS & IS CRAIG BUSCH, & it does NOT take a genius to work THIS out! The new owners appear to be terrific folk, & with their support, I believe that the NEW ZWKingdom, WILL become a viable & happy place to visit. It IS appalling, that NO-ONE in the NZ Gov't OR business, bothered to step in, & aid CRAIG BUSCH, to preserve these endangered animals! I have nothing but CONTEMPT, for those who put every obstacle imaginable, in the LIONMAN'S path! The MEDIA also HAS to accept part of the SHAME for this! In ALL my days,I have NEVER read such biased reports, from the print media & TV! I wish him & the new SENSIBLE owners every BEST WISH for the future!

12 Feb 2012 05:13a.m.

Shelley wrote:

Thank goodness Craig is back where he belongs. Those cats must have missed him so much. I just wish Craig's mother would just shut up and go away now. She has sold the park, the new owners have got Craig back, end of story. Let Craig and HIS cats live in peace.

04 Feb 2012 02:09a.m.

Lucy wrote:

I am a little confused by the last sentance in your article

'So what will become of Patricia, daughter Megan, and the park that is their home?'

1. It is not their home any longer. The bank took it back.
2. Does she not still own her farm?
3. It was actually Craig Busch's home a lot longer beforehand until his mother ousted him as soon as she took control.
4. The new owners intend to keep the park as a going concern.
5. None of this would have happened if the main source of income hadn't been ousted.
6. Why has no'one mentioned the fact that Craig was left homeless too and all his personal items taken when he was ousted.
7. The comment from 'Jess' makes no sense, as he went to SA because he was made homeless by his mother, and he has continued his fight to regain control of HIS cats ever since. What was he supposed to do, lie down and roll over, or continue with his life to enable him to continue the fight for his cats?

At least the cats are now safe - back with Craig Busch.
Well done Zion Wildlife Kingdom for seeing sense and bringing back The Lion Man to his home.


03 Feb 2012 08:55a.m.

Astonished wrote:

It just looks like she is out to destroy everything that was created. The new owners are class they know that the only person people will go and see is Craig. We can expect this to run on and on as the Lawyer looks for his wedge in fees. I only hope that 3News give the New Zion a far crack at making a go of the new operation.

03 Feb 2012 07:01a.m.

Jess wrote:

Craig doesn't belongs to Zion he is not so wonderful when he had trouble in nz he ran off to south Africa and now back to Zion tuning of SA what gonna happen to the cats ? More declawing ? More personal interest ? Or just more money ? I hope the new owners will not give him the park back but just employing him to prevent any futur problems

02 Feb 2012 04:38p.m.

Te Rina wrote:

This woman just wont give up will she? She ran Zion into the ground and can seem to accept that Zion was sold by the receivers to cover their costs and now shes upset that her son who started Zion is back where he belongs. I believe that Zion will now start making a comeback now that the Lionman is back home. Isn't it funny that she had no qualms throwing Craig out of Zion and now is upset over how she is being treated. Shoe other foot much?

02 Feb 2012 07:54a.m.

jason wrote:

celebration time, craigs back!! mistakes may have been made by him earlier on, but i believe removing the cats daddy from them was never the way to go. his connection with them is obvious, and the way the cats react to him and only him is clear. imagine having your folks removed from you and how u would react, as is the case with these amazing beasts. thank god for the buyers of the park bringing in the only person capable, and the only person who truly has that connection with his children. GO CRAIG!!!!!...