Zion Wildlife Gardens
| Location | 124 Gray Road, Kamo, Whangarei, New Zealand. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°41′37″S 174°12′44″E / 35.6936°S 174.2122°ECoordinates: 35°41′37″S 174°12′44″E / 35.6936°S 174.2122°E |
| Land area | 80 acres (32 ha) |
| No. of animals | 24 |
| No. of species | 4 |
| Major exhibits | Big cats |
| Website | www |
Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary is a privately owned sanctuary located near Kamo, Whangarei, New Zealand. The facility houses 28 cats of varying species, mainly lions and Bengal tigers, a black leopard, and two African cheetahs. The park is privately run and is funded through tours and donations.
While a few of the cats kept are semi-wild, the majority of the cats have been hand reared at the park.
Craig Busch established Zion Wildlife Gardens in 2002 from bare land situated on Gray Road, Kamo, Whangarei. Busch had previously had the zoo based at Kerikeri.
During 2006 Zion Wildlife Gardens became financially troubled. Busch accepted a bail out package from his mother Patricia Busch, and in accordance with an agreement dated 13 July 2006, he resigned as director and appointed Mrs Busch, as sole director.
Busch continued working at Zion until his dismissal on 3 November 2008.
During November 2008, media reports revealed an investigation into the welfare of the cats at the zoo had been conducted by MAF. Concerns included animals being kept in unsanitory conditions, damaged enclosures and the surgical declawing of 21 lions and 9 tigers.
In February 2009, the Ministry of Primary Industries (formerly MAF) released the results of its investigation into the surgical declawing of 21 lions and 9 tigers at the facility between the years 2000 to May 2008. The contents of the report revealed vets had been initially approached by Mr Busch to have the procedures done. Busch had requested the procedures were to be kept in confidence. The findings in the report found any question of prosecutions under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 were problematic due to MAF veterinarians being aware, but not questioning the procedures at the time.
On 27 May 2009 a zookeeper, South African National Dalu Mncube, was mauled to death by a white tiger while cleaning an enclosure. The tiger was shot dead in order to reach Mncube. The same tiger, a 260-kilogram (570 lb) male named Abu, had bitten another handler earlier the same year, who was rescued by Mncube. The park closed and re-opened after less than one month, following changes to the big cat enclosures to improve safety for handlers and the public.
During June 2013 Zion Wildlife Gardens operator Patricia Busch lost her assets. The finance company that held the security over the property took possession, after Mrs Busch was unable to continue the mortgage payments.
In December 2013, the Coroner's report on the inquest into the death of senior cat handler Dalu Mncube cleared the management and staff of any wrongdoing in relation to the incident. Shortland recommended regulatory reform and new legislation for health and safety in zoos and animal parks.
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Wikipedia