Zion Wildlife Gardens Zion Wildlife Gardens in Recievership

[kiwipo]

What is likely to happen to the animals at the park?? Could they be moved to other collections with N.Zealand or could they go abroad to the UK or USA??

Most of the lions and tigers would be put down, as very few zoos in NZ or Australia would want white lions and tigers. Such animals are inbred with genetic problems from birth, and CB has made them even more undesirable by declawing most of them.

There is an impractical suggestion that the claws can be replaced with an expensive surgical process, and Zion are supposedly asking for donations to fund this.

Any donations made to the park would go into the Busch Family Charity though.

Pat Busch drives around in a near new 4x4 Navara, and her daughter spends plenty of money on her horses before any funding goes to the park.

They both cry poverty, but Mrs Busch owns at least two houses in Auckland and a farm in Cambridge. Thats a long way from poverty.

It would be a sad day if the park closed as many of the animals would be destined for a sad end. But most of them are kept in tiny enclosures with no enrichement and poor nutrition. A few plastic fishing floats to bat about and old dairy cows for food don't cut it.

 

[kiwipo]

[QUOTE At this time CB is in Africa where it is rumoured to be buying land while also "an offer" has been put in.[/QUOTE]

CB isnt any more popular in Africa than he is in NZ, he is supposedly making a doco about lions.

Considering the amount of docos on TV now about lions I can't see another lion doco making him much money.

Africa is full of Lion doco makers, few of them suceed. Those interested in such docos might have seen a series of shows on lions made by American Dave Salmoni, they guy who released tigers into the African wild and walked "into the Pride" a number of times.

Very much like CB in fact, the tigers he released were never out of their enclosure, clever filming and camera angles, plus an orchestrated bit where a live impala was given to the tigers to kill were part of that doco.

Dave Salmoni had to make his final lion doco in Namibia because no reserve in SA would let him film there.

If CB is in Africa he's keeping a low profile.

 

[AskAlice]

Most of the lions and tigers would be put down, as very few zoos in NZ or Australia would want white lions and tigers. Such animals are inbred with genetic problems from birth, and CB has made them even more undesirable by declawing most of them.

There is an impractical suggestion that the claws can be replaced with an expensive surgical process, and Zion are supposedly asking for donations to fund this.

Any donations made to the park would go into the Busch Family Charity though.

Pat Busch drives around in a near new 4x4 Navara, and her daughter spends plenty of money on her horses before any funding goes to the park.



They both cry poverty, but Mrs Busch owns at least two houses in Auckland and a farm in Cambridge. Thats a long way from poverty.

It would be a sad day if the park closed as many of the animals would be destined for a sad end. But most of them are kept in tiny enclosures with no enrichement and poor nutrition. A few plastic fishing floats to bat about and old dairy cows for food don't cut it.

I'm afraid you're way off the mark Kiwipo. The two houses you mention were sold in 2009 and the money used to prop up the park that was reported in the Sunday news some time ago . Rabobank has a mortgage against Patricia Busch's farm in Cambridge and at any time can call upon that loan. Other than her vehicle and a few possessions the lady isn't living the high life and neither is Megan who is on wages like the rest of the remaining staff at Zion she's been at the park working. The cats have been given quite a few enrichment toys over the last few months from a group in the UK as well as other activities provided for the cats enrichment. Zion Wildlife Gardens Ltd was placed into Liquidation at the beginning of August this year. Country Developments Ltd the company that holds the land is in receivership and is being administered by Price Waterhouse Coopers who are the ones dealing with any finances. Craig Busch attempted to put Patricia into bankruptcy for $3800 in the High Court then later withdrew the claim.

The Paw Project account is held in the trust account of Barter and Co with Tim Husband and Steven Barter as the trustees of that account. The money in there cannot be used by anyone but only for the purpose it was donated for. I have checked on that one.

On the cats MAF put out a media release that they would have the cats either transferred locally or to overseas facilities.

 

[kiwipo]

OK, I'll stanf corrected on the houses, as it seems she no longer owns them. She does still own the farm though, so I'll take your word on what is owed on that.

As far as enrichment is concerned, care to provide details of just what the enrichment consists of? A few plastic net floats and some logs are not enrichment.

As for MAF saying all of the cats will be rehomed locally, have you got a link to that statement from MAF.
MAF wont be paying for the rehoming of any cats, the closest thing to that they have said is that if the park is closed they will have the opportunity to find hew homes for all the cats. But it won't be MAf that is doing that or finding the homes, and it certainly won't be MAF that is paying for the homes.

The most likely, and best option would be to simply kick the Busch family out of the park entirely and have an owner who knows what they are doing, that should have been done long ago.

 

[AskAlice]

What I'll do for you Kiwipo is post up some photos I've taken over the last few months of the cats with their enrichment toys which were provided by the UK Group Toyz for cats at Zion. Look them up on google and you'll find their facebook page. I took the photos they have posted there so it's clear who I am my name is on them. We're just working on other ideas for the cats at the park to keep them occupied. Wellington Zoo were very helpful in their suggestions so they are being instigated. Very grateful for their advice.


The cats have been provided with boomer balls, spools and rings. Large sacks to hang meat in for them to pull at and exercise muscles, and scented oils to stimulate senses. I'll get photos if possible next time I visit the family.

Everything I have advised is true MAF have stated in their media release the following

"If the park were to permanently close for any reason MAF would work with zoo industry stakeholders and seek their advice to secure the animals future either locally or internationally."

Zion Wildlife Gardens | MAF Biosecurity New Zealand

That shows no indication at this point that euthanasia is being considered for the 36 cats at the facility.

I'm in regular communication with Mrs Busch and I do go up to visit when possible.

I see nothing constructive about stating that the Busch family should be removed from the park. But that's your opinion. I'm a personal friend of the family a very close friend and I'll have to disagree with you on that stance. Have a good day I have no issues with you or any one else. Any further suggestions for the cats enrichment would be appreciated. I'm always looking for new ideas to pass on and help instigate to ensure the cats are occupied.

 

[Steve Robinson]

The most likely, and best option would be to simply kick the Busch family out of the park entirely and have an owner who knows what they are doing, that should have been done long ago.

I lived in New Zealand from 1972 to 1982 and, at that time, it was democratic country.

Have the socialists now taken over so that such an outlandish proposition could be seriously suggested?

 

[kiwipo]

The cats have been provided with boomer balls, spools and rings. Large sacks to hang meat in for them to pull at and exercise muscles, and scented oils to stimulate senses. I'll get photos if possible next time I visit the family.

Everything I have advised is true MAF have stated in their media release the following

"If the park were to permanently close for any reason MAF would work with zoo industry stakeholders and seek their advice to secure the animals future either locally or internationally."


That shows no indication at this point that euthanasia is being considered for the 36 cats at the facility.

I'm in regular communication with Mrs Busch and I do go up to visit when possible.

.

I am well aware of the statement put out by MAF, and as I said before all it says is that MAF would work with the Zoo industry and seek their advice to secure the animals future. It says nothing about MAF funding any such relocation, that would be up to the park or the receivng zoo, however its well known that few zoos would want Zions lions or tigers, partly because of the inbred status of them all, and also because of the paw mutilation.

So like it or not putting some or all of them down is a very real prospect unless they actually get the park up and running again and self suffiecinet, something the Buschs obviously cant do or they would have done it by now.

No surprise that you are a close firend of the Busch family, it sure shows. I am neither friends or foes of the Busch family, so I can look at their management without personal bias.

As for enrichment, if they have what you have described its taken them a dammed long time to get around to doing it, why didn't they do this when it was first suggested? No money left because it had all been spent on Megan's horses perhaps? Certainly the vet and farriers didnt used to go there to look at the cats. The receivers are getting advice from a zoo expert unconnected with the Busches, that might be why the recent enrichment has bene introiduced do you think? And not because of any action by Pat Busch who has had months to introduce or act on suggestions of enrichment but did nothing

 

[kiwipo]

I lived in New Zealand from 1972 to 1982 and, at that time, it was democratic country.

Have the socialists now taken over so that such an outlandish proposition could be seriously suggested?

Its always been a law in NZ that people who dont look after animals with proper care can be forbidden from owning or caring for animals, nothing to do with it being a socialist or democratic country, people are not asked to vote on what determines proper care of animals.

The Busch family have been running zion for quite a while now, and running it badly to the detriment of the cats. Despite what their good friend says above lack of enrichment, poor protein and far too small an enclosures have always been a problem there.

And their abortive tiger breeding projects have resulted in death and injury.

Australia are even harder on poor zoo owners than NZ, more than one Australian Zoo has been closed by the authorities and the owners forbidden from owning exotics.

the control of Zion is now out of the hands of the Busches, and a dammed good thing too.

 

[kiwipo]

What I'll do for you Kiwipo is post up some photos I've taken over the last few months of the cats with their enrichment toys which were provided by the UK Group Toyz for cats at Zion. Look them up on google and you'll find their facebook page. I took the photos they have posted there so it's clear who I am my name is on them. We're just working on other ideas for the cats at the park to keep them occupied. Wellington Zoo were very helpful in their suggestions so they are being instigated. Very grateful for their advice.


The cats have been provided with boomer balls, spools and rings. Large sacks to hang meat in for them to pull at and exercise muscles, and scented oils to stimulate senses. I'll get photos if possible next time I visit the family.
.

Thanks for the link to the FB group, I see they have sent six enrichment toys over for the cats, but six into 36 doesnt go far.

As for taking the advice of Wellington Zoo, it would be the receivers who are taking that advice rather than Mrs Busch, since they and not her are in control of the park.

How is it that it has taken so long to get the enrichment, T Husband when he was there began an enrichment program which stopped as soon as he left. And of course it takes more than a few toys to carry out an enrichment program.

Here is hoping none of the Busches ever get control of any of the cats there again, that would be the best thing for them.

 

[driftaguy]

Has Glen Holland left the park?

 

[Steve Robinson]

Its always been a law in NZ that people who dont look after animals with proper care can be forbidden from owning or caring for animals, nothing to do with it being a socialist or democratic country, people are not asked to vote on what determines proper care of animals.

The Busch family have been running zion for quite a while now, and running it badly to the detriment of the cats. Despite what their good friend says above lack of enrichment, poor protein and far too small an enclosures have always been a problem there.

And their abortive tiger breeding projects have resulted in death and injury.

Australia are even harder on poor zoo owners than NZ, more than one Australian Zoo has been closed by the authorities and the owners forbidden from owning exotics.

the control of Zion is now out of the hands of the Busches, and a dammed good thing too.

My comment is not about what may, or may not, be the situation there as you see it.

My query is, that if MAF is content with the current conditions there, what extra knowledge do you have that could justify NZ citizens being dispossesed of their property in the way that you have proposed?

Robert Mugabe does that sort of thing in Zimbabwe.

 

[ptig]

ZWG

Glen Holland left there long ago.

 

[kiwipo]

My comment is not about what may, or may not, be the situation there as you see it.

My query is, that if MAF is content with the current conditions there, what extra knowledge do you have that could justify NZ citizens being dispossesed of their property in the way that you have proposed?

Robert Mugabe does that sort of thing in Zimbabwe.

If it was a MAF decision then it would be the animals that would be removed rather than the owners, however any dispossision of the land is more likely to be done by the receivers because of money owed.

Mugabe isn't too concerned with animal welfare, or even people welfare for that matter, so his policy can't be compared with what happens in NZ.

 

[AskAlice]

Thanks for the link to the FB group, I see they have sent six enrichment toys over for the cats, but six into 36 doesnt go far.

As for taking the advice of Wellington Zoo, it would be the receivers who are taking that advice rather than Mrs Busch, since they and not her are in control of the park.

How is it that it has taken so long to get the enrichment, T Husband when he was there began an enrichment program which stopped as soon as he left. And of course it takes more than a few toys to carry out an enrichment program.

Here is hoping none of the Busches ever get control of any of the cats there again, that would be the best thing for them.

It's clear to me Kiwipo you really have no idea what is going on at Zion. I do know because I was the one who had a friend in Wellington contact Wellington Zoo. I have a copy of the email with the advisements from the Carnivore keeper guy who had some excellent suggestions. The receivers didn't have anything to do with it. They don't have a say in the cat's care where the role of the operator goes. They deal with the financial side only. The toys are swapped around on a daily basis and not left with the same cat.

The enrichments Tim instigated are still in place at the park. Tim is a friend of mine by the way and I do give him updates where possible on the cats

You've spoken as if you have first hand knowledge of what goes on with the park. It's clear at one stage you have worked at Zion. Very few people knew what vehicle Patricia drove which is about 5 years old by the way. And very few knew about the two properties which were never purchased with park funds nor was the vehicle. Have a good Christmas Kiwipo hope you have a good one.

 

[kiwipo]

I draw your attention to the contents of your own link you supplied in a previous posting.
Zion Wildlife Gardens | MAF Biosecurity New Zealand

And within that is

Receivers appointed to Zion Wildlife Gardens Limited | Press release | PwC New Zealand

And in that link there is a part which states

"Colin McCloy and David Bridgman, partners from PwC, have been appointed Receivers of Zion Wildlife Gardens Limited in Kamo, Whangarei.

Receiver, PwC Partner Colin McCloy says, “We are committed to doing the best we can for the welfare of the wildlife. As a result we are working closely with an independent Zoo expert, who is not related to any prior operator. This is to ensure the current welfare and containment standards of the animals at Zion Wildlife Gardens are maintained. ”

The Receivers are also working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)."

Which suggests the Receivers are in control of the park and the cats welfare and are the ones working with a wildlife expert.
You may well have an email from a Wellington carnivore expert, but its clear things have moved along since then.

The properties owned by Mrs Busch have been mentioned in the media, one mention was in a womans magazine to which Megan gave an interview.

Any tours of Zion are led up past the residences, where the green Navara is often parked, or can be seen driven about by Mrs Busch. Not too difficult to work out who it belongs to, and easy enough for those interested enough to find out.

And no. I have never worked at Zion. I have visited the place both officially and unofficially a number of times, and I have spoken to people who have worked there. It appeared there were no shortage of disgruntled ex workers.

If the enrichments Tim Husband instigated are still in use at the park they must have had a break during the times I was there as apart from a few old plastic fishing floats I didn't see anything atall in the way of enrichment and even with swapping toys around you would still need more than six toys for 36 cats.

I'll stand by my opinion of Zion, and you can stand by your opinion of your friends.

 

[AskAlice]

"Two weeks ago, the receivers succeeded in securing an order to enter the park but the court directed they not remove Mrs Busch as the licensed operator for the care and welfare of the animals."

"The receivers were also ordered not to interfere in her duties as the licensed operator."

Court rules Zion Wildlife Gardens must open to receivers | Northland News | Local News in Northland

And when were you last at the park Kiwipo? and do you have a personal interest. Your comments appear to be rather confrontational.

I'm finding it very difficult to understand your motives at present with your manner and nature of comments. You have commented as if you are at the park all of the time. So may I ask when were you last at the park and how would you know what enrichments are at the park if you are not there?

You mentioned disgruntled employees?

Are you certain you have not worked for Zion Wildlife Gardens. And this is an enquiry.

I will also inform you that the persons you are currently making statements about have been made aware of your comments and screen shots have been taken. If necessary these will be kept for future reference as some of the statements may be considered as defamatory.

We'll end it there.

 

[kiwipo]

To answer your questions, last time I was at the park would be about mid 2010.

I have no motives or motivation now other than to put forward my views on the park on this forum, any other interest in the park, either official or unofficial is well over.

Enrichments are visible methods of enlivening the lives of zoo animals, you either see them or you don't. Unless you are going ot tell me they remove all enrichments when visitors are there, and put them back after they have gone.

How many times are you going to ask me if I have worked at the park, I had said several times I have never worked there.

I'll make it clear, I have never worked at Zion, I have never worked for Craig Busch or Pat Busch. I hope that makes it clear finally.

I would hope you have shown this to the people concerned, along with the other comments on the subject.

It might encourage them to be a little more open and up front with the affairs of Zion, maybe if they had done so in the first place they wouldn't be in the position they are now.

I'm quite happy to end it here, you have made it clear you are a very good friend of the park owners, and despite the enquiry about me working there and the empty threat of defamation action I believe you probably know who I am anyway, and what I was.

In closing I will say I hope Zion recovers and manages to provide the best for the animals in their care, whoever is in charge.

 

[Chlidonias]

on the news today (I have no idea of the reality behind the reports, as obviously both sides of the situation will be promoting different angles to support themselves):

Court action over big cats' welfare - Yahoo! New Zealand News

17 January 2012

Zion Wildlife Gardens' receivers say their court bid is about the welfare of the big cats and not about killing them.

Evgeny Orlov, the lawyer for the gardens' operator Patricia Busch, says the park's receivers had launched a bid for an urgent High Court hearing on Wednesday asking for the 36 big cats at the park to be taken off the property by February 3 or be euthanised.

But Colin McCloy of receivers PriceWaterhouseCoopers says the High Court bid was made to support a sale of the park as a going concern, one where the cats would remain in the park.

"An interested party has offered to purchase the business and assets of Zion," Mr McCloy said.

"The receivers believe the offer represents good value and the best option to preserve the operation of the park and the welfare of the animals.

"However, existing court directions need to be varied to support the sale process."

Mr McCloy said he couldn't name the prospective buyer due to commercial sensitivity.

He said the welfare of the animals was a priority and the receivers had continued to provide them with food and vet care.

Mr Orlov said the court action he had seen effectively meant the cats would have to be killed as there was no chance the animals could be removed by February 3.

He told NZ Newswire the application would be challenged on procedural grounds as a hearing on the animals' future had already been scheduled for February.

Zion Wildlife Gardens became famous through the television series The Lion Man, featuring Ms Busch's son Craig.

The park subsequently got into trouble and there was a falling-out between Craig and Patricia Busch, which resulted in Craig Busch leaving the park in 2008 after an employment battle.

Zoo keeper Dalu Mncube was killed by one of the cats the following year.

the item from 3 news is here (video): Rabobank refuse to comment on threat to kill Zion big cats - National - Video - 3 News
and the text article as follows:

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.

 

[Nisha]

Someone has apparently made an offer to buy Zion??
Radio New Zealand : News : Regional : Wildlife park receivers hope offer will save big cats

Another article suggests that Orana could take the Cheetahs if the park is sold as land only... AZA has also offered to "assist" in re-homing the larger cats if needed
Little room in NZ for Zion's big cats - Business - NZ Herald News

 

[Chlidonias]

just quoting the article from Nisha's second link in case it doesn't remain permanently online as sometimes happens:

Euthanising some of the big cats at Zion Wildlife Gardens may be inevitable because no zoo in New Zealand has the facilities to take on many of the park's larger cats, "distressed" local zookeepers say.

The fate of 36 big cats at the Northland park is still to be decided in the High Court, with a hearing set to take place tomorrow.

A lawyer for park operator Patricia Busch has accused receivers of attempting to have the animals put down.

Receivers claim the legal action is to support a sale which will keep the park open and protect the welfare of its animals.

Wellington Zoo chief executive and Australasian Zoo and Aquarium Association chair Karen Fifield said whatever the result of the legal action, some of the big cats may have to be put down due to poor health or difficulties rehoming them.

"It's absolutely horrible. We're all very distressed about this. Those of us who run responsible zoos are absolutely distressed over this. You can't hide from the fact that it may be euthanasia for some of them."

Ms Fifield said New Zealand zoos have little room to house more big cats and are bound by rules governing which animals they import.

They only obtain healthy animals that match the genetics of their existing animals - from other zoos who adhere to the Australasian Zoo and Aquarium Association code of practice, she said.

Zion Wildlife Garden was not a member of the association.

"We're not an SPCA for animals," Ms Fifield said. "It makes us seem really uncaring if we say we can't take them, but it is the big picture that we have to look at."

Overseas zoos could be interested in taking the Zion Wildlife Gardens animals, Ms Fifield said.

Lynn Anderson, chief executive of Orana Park in Christchurch, said euthanising the big cats would be a last resort.

She would consider taking some of the Northland park's cheetah - provided they could contribute to a breeding program in her park.

However, no zoo in New Zealand had the facilities to take on many of the park's larger big cats, she said.

"We just don't have the facilities. No other zoo in New Zealand has. It's as simple as that.
Ms Anderson said a long legal process and thorough health assessments had to be worked out before the fate of the big cats was decided.

"Until it's settled who owns them, nothing can be done."

Receiver and PwC Partner Mr Colin McCloy earlier this afternoon said he was committed to the welfare of the Zion Wildlife Gardens big cats.

"The welfare of the wildlife at Zion is a priority for the receivers and their appointor, Rabobank, and food and veterinary care have continued to be provided by the receivers, funded by their appointor.

"The receivers will be in a better position to discuss progress further in the coming weeks. At this stage, we cannot discuss the ongoing sale process, due to commercial sensitivity."

However, Ms Busch's lawyer Evgeny Orlov has accused receivers of trying to have the big cats put down.

He said the most tragic aspect was that the animals facing destruction were highly endangered and protected by international conventions.

The park's collection of white Bengal tigers, which is possibly the biggest in the world, was of particular conservation value, he said.

"These are breeding pairs, so they can actually breed, which means they can enhance the bloodline. So to kill them, or even contemplate killing them or even separating them, is a crime in an ethical sense.

"It's terrifying, and it also breaches every single convention we could have thought of.''

However, the Zoo Aquarium Association has argued the white Bengals are not a separate breed of tigers.

Their colour is caused by recessive genes and there is no value in creating a breeding program for the animals, a ZAA statement said.

Zion Wildlife Garden was opened in 2002 by Craig Busch, star of the television show Lion Man.

It was taken over by his mother Patricia Busch in 2006 after she raised money to pay off the park's debts.

A protracted legal battle between the pair ensued, with Mr Busch leaving the park in 2008.

The park's troubles have been long-running, including the death of South African keeper Dalu Mncube, who was mauled by an endangered white tiger in 2009. The cat was put down.

it doesn't help the park that their lawyer is spouting the nonsense about white tigers being endangered etc, which is obviously an attempt at causing a furore amongst the general public but just makes them look silly in the eyes of zoological institutes