Patricia Busch refuses to leave Lion Man's park

Email
Print

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 7:00p.m.

Patricia Busch

Patricia Busch

The Zion Wildlife Gardens has a new owner.

Lion Man Craig Busch will run the park for Zion Wildlife Kingdom Ltd, but his mother Patricia – who has run the park for the past few years – is tonight refusing to leave.

Earlier today her daughter, Craig’s sister Megan, was arrested for trespass after staying in support of her mother.

Patricia Busch spoke to Campbell Live outside the park this afternoon.

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

04 Feb 2012 11:28p.m.

Chris Wickenden wrote:

I worked at Zion for about a year, firstly as a volunteer and then full time. I left two years ago. I have concerns as to the operation of the park under the new owners Firstly as to how the sale could be made without the correct persons in place to fulfill legal requirements, ie a Maf approved operator. Also I have concerns as to the financial backing the new owners. Running a zoo is much different to a farm. I have zoo experience at London Zoo with 13 years experience although not with big cats. The current law stops the entry of keepers into big cat enclosures without the animals being locked away, I believe these rules will be broken, putting that persons life and those on site in danger. I witnessed the death of Dalu and certainly do not wish that situation to arrise again. I believe the park will fall into the same situation again. Craig does not own the park nor can he be operator due to criminal convictions. He fell out with his mother who only wanted to help, what's to stop the same happening when he doesn't get his own way in the running of the park. He failed before managing the park, it may happen again and the future of the cats will be in question again. Personally I think the future of the park is no more secure than before and authorities should closely monitor operating and safety procedures and animal management decisions. This is all personal belief through animal management experience and information through other parties whilst I worked at Zion and I claim not to be an expert but I certainly would have changed some procedures and working practices if I had been given the position of operator as offered to me by Patricia Busch.

03 Feb 2012 01:43a.m.

Lucy wrote:

Thank God he's back.
A big ROAR for Zion Wildlife Kingdom.
I see the usual vindictive comments are starting - Pfft
GO Craig! It's GREAT to see you back where you belong with your cats. I bet they are loving having you home at last.

02 Feb 2012 10:11a.m.

LBV wrote:

@Dawn. If you watched a few earlier pieces, you would know that the animals had a restricted diet, by order of the receivers who provided a form of food that was not up to standard. Patricia had said they were thinner than she would like and that some of the animals were throwing up after eating the food provided by the receivers. They refused to let local farmers donate food and the animals suffered for this. My question in all of this, is how much of this debt problem has come from Craig's constant legal battles. Also, the animals do not belong to any recognised breeding program - so his statements about breeding to save these species is wrong.

02 Feb 2012 02:19a.m.

Danny wrote:

Rumors stick like mud and Craig has suffered with this for past few years. At least now things can get back to normal and above all else the cats will have a happy safe home......GO ZION.... Plus I loved that theme song!!!

01 Feb 2012 08:13p.m.

Dawn wrote:

Go Craig the man who started it all is back. Feel sorry for his Mum no if you listened to the new owners some cats need there teeth done and are lacking in minerals etc so she obviously didnt do that great of a job taking care of the cats. No one has the passion Craig does for those animals and yes he may of declawed and did things that people feel are unusual but remember these are not domicate cats there wild and he needs to be the alpha cat. I will definately take my family there and support it when it reopens

01 Feb 2012 08:03p.m.

Mick wrote:

What's with all the "henchmen" on the gate & milling around issuing tresspass notices etc. Regardless of the circumstances this is a massive PR fail. I for one will never visit the park as a paying customer.

01 Feb 2012 07:53p.m.

LBV wrote:

Please remember that Craig Busch had those cats declawed. This cruel procedure is not simply a matter of trimming the animals toenails but is actually the surgical amputation (Onychectomy) of the end of the animals toes. It is mutilation. It is illegal or considered inhumane in many countries. Do you really want a person who thinks that this sort of practice is OK to be in charge of and make decisions regarding those animals.

01 Feb 2012 07:37p.m.

Concerned wrote:

Craig Busch is a cowboy who should not be anywhere near big cats. He is unsafe, the cats are mistreated and he is exploiting them . This park does not meet modern zoo or wildlife park standards and should be closed. Appalling stuff in the 21st century. government should not issue an operating license to the so called new owners And cats should be re homed. I hated his show and now he is back to do more harm. People who nothing about caring for big cats should find out more before they support Craig Busch.

01 Feb 2012 07:16p.m.

Tracy wrote:

watching the zion segment, it has encouraged me to NEVER EVER go to that park. How disgusting to treat a 70 year old lady like that. And that man on the gate, shamefull

01 Feb 2012 07:16p.m.

angela pell wrote:

YEHAA..Big roar out to the new owners...yahoo the cats live...