Lion Man losing licence » Zion Wildlife Gardens

Chlidonias · 01-01-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tetrapod

Any updates on this saga? Are we likely to see the Lion Man back on TV again or is he finished?

Craig Busch will be going back to the Employment Court some time this month. I'll post any developments.

As to whether "The Lion Man" will return to the screen...who can say? If Craig Busch regains control of Zion then I'd say its a certainty that TV2 (or another company, like maybe Animal Planet seeing they like that sort of thing) would film another series, given its popularity and money-making ability around the world. If he doesn't get the park back in his name, then TV2 may still film another series without him. Of course they'd have to give it a new title, and somehow I don't think it would be as popular and it would probably be canned pretty quickly

Chlidonias · 05-01-2009

Lion Man turns to eBay - New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz

Quote:

Craig "Lion Man" Busch was the pride of animal fans the world over as the star of the TV show based around his big cat park.

Viewers in more than 100 countries were thrilled as the Kiwi hero manhandled his beloved lions and tigers around Zion Wildlife Gardens without a seeming care for his own safety.

But from saving his endangered creatures from a dire future, Craig is now signing photos of him and the cats, then placing them on auction website eBay in a bid for cash to claw back the park from his mum Patricia.

Patricia took up residence at the park in July 2006. She raised a loan to repay Craig's company and his personal debt and in return was given power of attorney and sole directorship until he could repay her.

But their relationship soured so much Craig is no longer employed by the park and a court order has had to be sought to allow him to come and go from the property at Kamo, outside Whangarei.

Craig is selling 14 x 21cm autographed photos on eBay featuring either a lion, tiger or cheetah under the

heading "Signed lion man photos help Craig Busch return to Zion".

In the advertisement the Lion Man pleads for bidders to buy a photo to help him buy back the park.

"It seems that the only solution is to buy out Patricia's share in the business," Craig writes.

"If you would like to see Craig reinstated at Zion Wildlife Gardens you can help by purchasing a signed photo."

Craig also writes that he's been "sacked" from the lion park by his mum who has "sidelined him from the business he set up".

He writes on the auction site that his employment dispute with Patricia goes to court late this month but in the meantime "he has to ask permission every time he wants to go to and from the Lion Park, where he lives, and is denied access to the animals he loves and who love him".

Craig's photos are proving popular, with the first picture selling for $79 and a second for $262.

More photos will be placed on the website in the following weeks.

Bidders have expressed sadness at Craig's plight.

"I just want to express my utter sadness to your situation. Your series brightens up my life. Seeing what you have done with the cats is truly wonderful," one bidder wrote.

Another writes: "I am so sad for you having read how you have been treated. I really wish you all the best and if there is anything I can do to support your cause I will."

In response Craig who assures bidders he is in fact the person hosting the auction and the star of The Lion Man TV series which screens in over 100 countries thanks them for their support and directs them to his website nzlionman.com for more information.

In reply to one question, Craig says the auctions are about making people realise the situation he is in.

"These auctions are not so much about raising the money (although that would be nice) but about making people realise what is going on. Some people have criticised that I am doing this on eBay but I owe it to the cats to keep up the fight."

Craig convicted in May last year of assaulting his former partner and TV show co-star, Karen Greybrook in 2005 also declares on the auction page that producers of the Lion Man TV series have announced the show will go on "in some form without him".

But Great Southern Television managing director and Lion Man producer Philip Smith denies that.

"We haven't announced that at all and there's no plans (to produce another series) until a whole lot of legal issues are resolved," he said.

Smith also dismissed rumours on Facebook that series four would return in July without the Lion Man.

He said at some stage this year the company would sit down with those in charge of the lion park to discuss a future series but there are no "immediate plans" for another series.

"Great Southern will sit down with the park, ask what's best for the animals, ask what's best for the park, and if there is a future for the series and funding for it as well. Then we will go forward. If there isn't, then we won't."

Timeline:

- In December Craig Busch asked the Employment Relations Authority to order his temporary reinstatement at Zion Wildlife Park until his claim of unjustified dismissal against Zion Wildlife Gardens and Zion Wildlife Services is heard on January 27.

- He was sacked for alleged serious misconduct. Allegations against him include breaching safety rules, inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, performance issues, not keeping proper training records and causing loss of revenue by cancelling tours. Busch disputes all the claims.

- Four of the park's seven staff gave evidence to the authority to say they found Busch had become impossible to work for. Several said they would resign if he came back to the Zion Wildlife Park.

- Authority member Yvonne Oldfield declined Craig's application, saying given the case's background, she did not think he would suffer an injustice by waiting until the full hearing. She also said Craig had a foot injury that would prevent him resuming work at this stage and an order for reinstatement would be of no practical effect.

NZ Jeremy · 07-01-2009

Well as I've said before this well not end well...

And now I can add that idiots are allowed to post on auction sites...

taun · 16-01-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashley-h

No, Bengal tigers with a recessive gene exist, making them white. They are not a species or subspecies, they're basically freaks of nature who I believe are all decended from one animal, making them inbred. It's wrong that he tells everyone he's saving a species, and the same goes for white lions. West Midlands safari park does the same thing, and it gives zoos a bad name in saying they're educating and conserving a species.

Not really freaks of nature, just not capable of surving in this day and age.

I agree with you thou, it gives out the wrong message saying they are saving these "species".

taun · 16-01-2009

kaneda, TV can be misleading, however those enclosures (cages) do seem very small considering the number of animals some of them hold.

Also is it right then to start a "Zoo" with the animals in NOT adequate enough enclosures, but say its alright because some time down the line they may build bigger enclosures for them.

	Forums RSS Feed
	Photos RSS Feed
	Twitter Updates
	Facebook Page

»	More RSS and Subscription Options

Members	1,898
Members Online Now	22
Guests Online Now	57
Users Recently Active	618
Forum Threads	76,945
Forum Posts	135,560
Photos	49,875
Zoos	737
Countries	70
Webcams	79
» more statistics