| Location | Whangarei, New Zealand. |
|---|---|
| Land area | 12 acres (4.9 ha) |
| Number of animals | more than 30 |
| Number of species | 5 |
| Major exhibits | Various large undomesticated cats |
| Website | www.zionwildlifegardens.co.nz |
Zion Wildlife Gardens is a private animal sanctuary in Whangarei, New Zealand, dedicated to the preservation of big cats. The park houses many big cats, mainly lions and tigers, and also houses a black leopard, two cheetahs, two servals. It was established in 2002 by Craig Busch, who no longer works or lives there. While a few of the cats kept are semi-wild, the majority of the cats have been hand reared at the park. The park was the location of the successful documentary series The Lion Man, which documented events at the park and elsewhere.
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The park was established by Craig Busch in 2002[1] from bare land situated on Gray Road, Kamo, Whangarei. Busch remained the park's owner until 13 July 2006,[2] when he resigned as director and appointed his mother, Patricia Busch, as sole director.[3] Craig continued working at Zion until his dismissal on 3 November 2008.[1]
On the 27 May 2009 a zookeeper, South African National Dalu Mncube, was mauled to death by a white tiger while cleaning an enclosure.[4] The tiger was quickly shot dead in order to reach Mncube.[5] The same tiger, a 260-kilogram (570 lb) male named Abu, had bitten another handler earlier the same year, who was rescued by Mncube.[6] The park closed and re-opened after less than one month, following changes to the big cats' enclosures to improve safety for handlers and the public.[7] Handlers were instructed to have no further direct contact with the big cats.[7]
As of January 2011, the park has 36 cats:[8]
There was also a baboon now deceased, one ostrich, and a number of deer. Three white tigers - females - are on temporary loan to Pouakai Zoo in New Plymouth.
In June 2008, the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry investigated the park for claims of animal cruelty and animals being kept in unsanitary conditions. Craig Busch requested the investigation by MAF due to the Managing Director Patricia Busch withholding funds from filming income, for new enclosures. The results of their report were made public on 12 November 2008.[9]
Former Auckland Zoo manager Glen Holland was appointed as a "licensed operator" as required by MAF on October 10 three and half weeks prior to Patricia Busch termination of Craig Busch's employment as park operator.[1]
The Sunday News reported[10] that 29 of the 37 big cats had been declawed, at the behest of Craig Busch, before his mother, Patricia, took over the running of the park in 2008. Tim Husband, animal consultant hired as the "licenced operator" for Zion Gardens after the fatal mauling in May 2009, described the declawing as animal mutilations and an absolutely barbaric practice 'that just ruins your animal', 'that will never raise its ugly head at Zion Gardens ever again'. The MAF report considers the possibility of charges being laid, although notes in its conclusions that "The presence of MAF veterinarians at declawing instances during the quarantine period and the apparent overt or tacit acceptance of the declawing procedure by MAF supervising vets is problematic to any prosecution" and "The elements for any offending as regards both the restricted surgical procedures and the ill-treats provisions are unable to be sensible proven beyond reasonable doubt".[11]
Zion Wildlife Gardens is a privately run animal zoo. Currently there appears to be no access to the public.
The park has been funded through the tours and donations, but its operations are now funded by the Receivers.
David Bridgman and Colin McCloy of PwC were appointed receivers of the Company that operates Zion Wildlife Gardens, Zion Wildlife Gardens Limited (In Receivership & In Liquidation), on 26 July 2011. Subsequent to this, the Official Assignee was appointed liquidator of the Company on 22 August 2011.
At this stage, Zion Wildlife Gardens is closed to the public while the Receivers assess the situation.
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