Craig Busch: Difference between revisions
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== Controversy == |
== Controversy == |
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In 2005, Busch was convicted for assaulting his former partner, Karen Greybrook,<ref name="nzhoct2007"/>, which occurred when Busch discovered her in bed with another naked couple in January 2005<ref name="tnamay2007">[http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?thesection=localnews&storyid=3735284 The Northern Advocate] Lion Man sees red, 25 May 2005</ref>, who stated things were not as they seemed<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1501119/story.cfm?c_id=1201119&objectid=10441295 New Zealand Herald] 'Lion Man' convicted of assaulting partner, 23 May 2007</ref>. In May 2005, Busch plead guilty to two charges of assault, and six other charges were dropped<ref name="tnamay2007"/>, and he was ordered to pay Karen $8,000 in reparations, but received no other sanctions<ref name="nzhoct2007"/>. |
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Whoever you are thinking this is in the public interest you are sadly mistaken, this is Mr Buschs personal life. I'll just keep deleting it, or report you to wikipedia. |
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The pair used to work on the park together before they split and featured in the first two series of the ''Lion Man'' program. Despite the controversy surrounding Craig, the New Zealand public broadcaster decided to purchase the third series, citing the popularity and public interest in the show's subject matter<ref name="nzhoct2007"/>. Karen and her assistant Herm's subsequent absence in the program was described in the narration as being due to a "disagreement". |
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== Suspension == |
== Suspension == |
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Revision as of 11:31, 1 March 2009
Craig Busch, nicknamed "the Lion Man", is a New Zealand big cat expert and television personality.
Early life
Craig spent his early life in Utah, in a mountainous region populated with wild cougars. On developing a friendship with one of these cougars, Craig realised that interacting with big cats was his mission in life. He later spent time in Hollywood as an animal handler for studios and wealthy individuals.
Wildlife preservation
Craig later moved to New Zealand, taking four white tigers he had bought from owners in America, ensuring none were related in order to provide a viable breeding population. Craig later built the Zion Wildlife Gardens in New Zealand, and is now active in the preservation of several endangered big cat species that are classified as extinct or extremely endangered in the wild. His activities featured in a New Zealand television documentary The Lion Man, one of the most successful New Zealand television series[1].The series is showing in over one hundred different countries and is the number one documentary in one third of these countries making New Zealand history.
Craig aims to breed these species in an attempt to increase their number, assisted by exchange programs with other groups such as Global Tiger Patrol[2]. Efforts include the delivery of two white tiger cubs he bred to Ed Hearns' game park in South Africa.
Relationship with big cats
Busch has an evidently close relationship with several tame lions hand reared by the park, enabling close interaction with these animals. One male Barbary lion, 'Zion' born in 1999, is Craig's favourite animal, and apparently the tamest Barbary lion in the world[2].
Craig has been badly mauled twice by a lion, the worst occurring when he was unaware a lion was pregnant, and hence more unpredictable. During the attack, the lion bit a hand sized chunk of flesh from Craig's midriff.
Controversy
Whoever you are thinking this is in the public interest you are sadly mistaken, this is Mr Buschs personal life. I'll just keep deleting it, or report you to wikipedia.
Suspension
In December 2008, after a dispute with his mother, Patricia Busch, Craig was suspended from Zion Wildlife Park[3]. There are allegations by Zion Wildlife Gardens that Craig failed to keep proper training records, incorrect cash handling procedures, loss of revenue due to cancellation of tours, major breaches of safety protocols and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. Craig disputes all these claims. While he still lives on-site and has to inform Patricia Busch if he enters or leaves the Park. There was a hearing on 27th January 2009 but this has been adjourned until a later date
References
- ^ New Zealand Herald Lion man returns despite conviction, 27 Oct 2007
- ^ a b Zion Wildlife Gardens Official site
- ^ The Official Lionman Website
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