By Tony Reid
Rabobank is threatening to put down some of the world's most endangered big cats unless they are removed from the Zion Wildlife Gardens near Whangarei.
The park went into liquidation last year when it was unable to pay its debts.
Now Rabobank, a secured creditor, and receivers PricewaterhouseCoopers say they are prepared to euthanise all the remaining cats.
Patricia Busch, park owner and mother of 'Lion Man' Craig Busch, says the threat to the majestic and powerful creatures is “appalling”.
“So inhumane, I can't believe that any bank would think of such a thing,” she says.
When the gates were closed at the park, the big cats remained safe inside.
Lawyer Evgeny Orlov says the risk is not only that the animals will be put down “but the animals will be shipped off to God knows where”.
Ms Busch took over the running of the park in 2006 when her son Craig Busch left it heavily indebt.
Zion went into liquidation last year.
Now lawyers for the receiver and creditor are going to court.
They want the cats "removed from Zion Wildlife Gardens, by being picked up by, or delivered to, another party or parties (as approved by MAF); and for such cats at Zion Wildlife Gardens that are not picked up or delivered to parties approved by MAF by the third day of February 2012, then euthanised".
“For New Zealand to be involved in something that even contemplates the killing of a protected species is a very bad look in terms of public interest and public image,” says …
Ms Busch says the scenario is like somebody saying "we are going to kill your child".
Rabobank claims to be the world's leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. It declined to comment on why it wants the cats dead.
Receiver PricewaterhouseCoopers released the following statement on the matter: "The court application is intended to support the sale of the Zion Wildlife Gardens, as a going concern with the existing animals remaining in the park.”
3 News wanted to ask the receivers if that is their intention, why then do their own court documents demand the cats be removed or euthanised.
They did not return our calls.
The fate of the cats will be heard tomorrow at the Auckland High Court.
3 News