Lion Man’s sister claims boy ‘mauled’ at park

22 Feb 2012 02:33a.m.

L wrote:

6 months ago Mrs Busch had an interview with 3 news saying she wanted her son to come back and work with her, and that she still loved him and recognised that it was he who started the park in the first place (see your news clips). Yet now this recent report shows yet another story from her. I feel the reporting that is being done is nothing more than gutter investigating and IMO questions should have been raised, such as:-
1. Why did she not report this herself seeing as she was in charge at he time?
2. Why wait until years after to suddenly bring this to light (conveniently I feel), when another court case is looming in the near future regarding ownership of he cats?
3. Why use ex-employees who are friends with Mrs Busch's daughter to cast yet another smear on Craig Busch?
4. The parents of the child concerned gave a different take to the story on here, (see your facebook page), why is that?
5. Why does a large and popular (or used to be) tv programme encourage the constant smears that are being thrown from one side of this whole sorry saga?
6. Who is showing to be the better person with all this mud slinging?
7. Mrs Busch wanted the cats to be safe and all together, and now this has happened through the sale, and the new owners have said the cats are safe for life, why does she now want to sell them (if the ownership goes to her) to God knows who/where?
8. Why does she say the cats are owned by her now, yet previously she said they weren't, and that the old company owned them (ZWG), then she said they couldn't be owned or sold, then she said that she owned them and had a buyer? All very confusing???

I think this report has shown that reporters will report anything for a good story, regardless of who they hurt. Such a shame that good impartial investigations are becoming so rare nowadays.

@ Barristered - Comments such as that just show ignorance IMO

20 Feb 2012 12:52p.m.

Barristered wrote:

When Craig left Zion he removed equipment that was needed to continue the improvements planned at Zion. Shortly after he left the park, he reported the park to MAF for failing to continue with the improvements he had promised. PAtricia Busch took him to court and he was ordered to return the equipment. Snake Man is more accurate than Lion Man.

18 Feb 2012 07:41p.m.

Bluey wrote:

Having visited several lion parks now and gotten up close and patted a few, the one resounding thought I am left with is they belong in the wild!! These animals do NOT belong 30mins outside Whangarei in New Zealand, they belong in their natural habitat, we should be working on saving our own endangered animals.

17 Feb 2012 06:04p.m.

Alan wrote:

@Neville what was he breading them for then ? The park was there to make a profit before the public tours took place and yes that meant selling these animals to who ever had the money.

16 Feb 2012 08:21a.m.

brett wrote:

reality big cat park

15 Feb 2012 11:01p.m.

Neville wrote:

it would appear by some of the above statements, that neither fact nor literacy have much place in some of these persons heads. 1/-He breed lions and tiger to be sold to zoos and circus. (he has never done so and has never been considered,The literacy perhaps says it all) 2/- None of these allegations can be substantiated, and have so much speculation and misinformation, that it is almost sad that these people believe they are doing the right thing. 3/- I would have thought this program might rise above this type of reporting. the higher standard used to be what made it stand out. An investigative reporter is supposed to investigate, and get to the bottom of it all, not take the short cut to try and get to the top. Having come from a journalistic background, I would pick that the reason for the media blackout, is because of the unprofessional way in which the investigating was approached,and subsequent treatment of some of those involved. It would stand to reason that in a high stakes game like this, the new owners would be cautious, given the sensitivity of information (some still yet to go through the courts)and the blatant disregard by the media, and the obvious fabrication and grandstanding by others. I would think John would have been rather embarrassed by that fiasco.

15 Feb 2012 05:50p.m.

Elli wrote:

Why Mr Busch was ever allowed to breed lions and tigers in NZ I will never understand. These animals belong to the wild or at least close to their natural habitat when they arein need of sanctuary.Why does a privat person need a breeding programme for wild animals in NZ? Where was Peta? Or other animal welfare organisations? Even in well resourced zoos a programme like his would not be done, because real animal lovers have an utmost respect for these creatures and don't degrade them to be used as personal accessories.This man has only his personal interests at heart, he is an attention seeker and obviously resorts to violence with humans and animals when he doesn't get what he wants.

15 Feb 2012 02:51p.m.

Mig Alves wrote:

Some people are still blinded by his lime light, he is into all that benefits himself, drugs, sex and money, and as we all should know, it all comes out in the wash, shame on those that will still believe and support this PIG of a man.

15 Feb 2012 02:30p.m.

Me wrote:

Shame on the parents for not reporting this alleged attack to the authorities. Maybe if it had been dealt with at the time, Dalu might not have lost his life.

15 Feb 2012 01:51p.m.

Amanda wrote:

Every body is sat here saying that he did this or did that and that hes evil and bad but what i notice is that it is all hear say and it is only now all these "concerned" EX staff members are saying what they say happened nobody came forward before this to help the cats "They" were so concerned about also Zion has never claimed that all there cats are endangered and he makes a point of talking about what him and other countries are doing to try re breed the endangered ones, it was him that stopped the tours going on when the cats started acting out, and since he left Dalu was killed another helper was hurt and a cat was killed, so that racks up a few dots on the mums side as well it makes you wonder whats in it for them to come forward now and try and ruin a mans name.yeah some times he appears to be a little ruff but he wouldn't hurt them intentionally ever and he would never kill a cub those cats adore him as he adores them. One minute his mum wants him at her side doing what he should be doing cause its such a wonderful thing and then 5 mins later she is saying all this