Ownership of Zion cats in question

The ownership of the big cats at Whangarei's Zion Wildlife Gardens is in legal dispute, an employment hearing was told today.

The Employment Relations Authority hearing was originally started by Craig Busch, famous worldwide for his Lion Man television series, after he was sacked from the park last year. The park is run by his mother Patricia Busch.

He wanted reinstatement to his job, claiming he was unfairly sacked by his mother. He later dropped the claim, but the park is seeking the return of company property and claiming for loss of income and legal costs due to his action.

Daniel Erikson, representing Mr Busch, asked Mrs Busch today who owned the big cats at the park.

"Craig says they belong to the Busch Wildlife Foundation, but that is in dispute at the moment," Mrs Busch said.

"Zion Wildlife Gardens doesn't own the cats but they have the care and control of them."

ERA member Yvonne Oldfield, who chaired the hearing, said it was not in her jurisdiction to order the park to return the cats to Mr Busch, as it was a matter for the High Court.

Mr Erikson also questioned Mrs Busch about Wildlife Pictures Ltd, a company set up as a separate entity for the filming side of the business.

Mrs Busch told the hearing that the firm did not employ any staff, but when Mr Busch filmed he did so as an employee of Zion Wildlife Gardens.

Mr Busch, 44, said he had never been paid for filming work he had done.

"I directed it and used my cameras. I'm not very amused about what's going on here and I'd prefer that everyone pulled their head in.

"I paid $35,000 to Zion Wildlife Gardens to address animal welfare issues and $21,000 to Wildlife Pictures Ltd three years ago, and I still haven't been paid for that," Mr Busch said.

Mr Erikson asked Mrs Busch how many complaints had been made about her son to police.

She was unsure, but thought it could be around a dozen.

"How many complaints resulted in charges being laid?" Mr Erikson continued.

Mrs Busch said no charges were laid.

"I didn't want charges laid against Craig Busch."

The hearing continued today after resuming on Friday, almost four months after being interrupted by the death of Zion handler Dalu Mncube, who was mauled by a white tiger.

Various items of property were unlawfully retained by Mr Busch, following termination of his employment, the park has alleged.

They included a Ford transit van, a Nissan patrol vehicle, two trailers, various guns, a digger, power saw, power hacksaw, welder and a sander.

In August, Ms Oldfield declined an application from Mr Busch for a stay of proceedings.

He argued that High Court proceedings he had taken for reinstatement of his shareholdings and directorships of the park overlapped the subject matter of the counterclaim against him to such an extent that the ERA hearings should be stayed.

Ms Oldfield disagreed, saying the High Court matters would not address issues before her.

Ms Oldfield is expected to make a written decision on some of the matters by the end of the week, but she said other aspects could take several months.

- NZPA