'Lion Man' Craig Busch is preparing to roar back onto the TV screen.
Craig, who become an international star with his series The Lion Man, is filming a new wildlife reality show in Africa.
Negotiations for the rights to the new show are underway with broadcasters in several countries, including New Zealand.
And Sunday News can also reveal Craig is not planning to return to New Zealand in the near future while his wrangle with mother Patricia Busch continues over ownership of big-cat sanctuary Zion Wildlife Gardens.
"There is a lot of interest in it [the new series], particularly in the UK," Craig's spokeswoman said. "I would hope that [it will screen] this year."
The original series of The Lion Man is still played heavily overseas.
Lyrics in its theme song proclaim: "There's a mighty beast from mother nature. And he has gathered them up with the promise of a bright new world. He's the Lion Man with one goal in mind. To create a safe haven so they can survive. He's the Lion Man, putting their future in his hands."
A spokeswoman for Patricia would not comment on Craig's planned TV return. Craig recently travelled to the UK to meet with fans who are helping fund his ongoing legal battle to wrestle back control of Zion.
"I don't think he has any plans to come back until there is something to come back for," his spokeswoman said.
"Obviously there are quite a few things up in the air at the moment. We are hoping to get some sort of answer on the outstanding Employment Relations Authority [issue].
"Then there is the Department of Labour next hearing on July 6."
That hearing is in relation to the death of Zion big-cat handler Dalu Mncube, mauled to death by a white tiger six months after Craig had been dismissed from the wildlife gardens by his mother.
Craig's UK fans also used his recent visit as a chance to collect clothing donations for Dalu's African-based seven-year-old son. The boy's mother has also died, and he is being brought up by his elderly grandparents.
Meanwhile, Zion spokeswoman Sara Reid claimed Craig's supporters have breached Patricia's "privacy" after posting online photos and the address of the rural Waikato farm Patricia is selling to raise funds for Zion.
The property has a government valuation of $1.45 million.
Park management had considered laying charges under the Privacy Act.
But they considered the money would be better off spent on the big cats and not another legal battle.
. dalu might not've been killed 
