Zion Wildlife park closed by MAF - big cats won't be killed

Lion Man Craig Busch. Photo / Northern Advocate

The Zion Wildlife Gardens has been temporarily closed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF).

The move comes after keeper Dalu Mncube was mauled to death by a 260kg white male tiger called Abu on Wednesday.

MAF said the park will remain closed until it is satisfied the park is able to "consistently comply with the animal welfare and enclosure requirements for zoos and wildlife parks", in a statement this afternoon.

There is no intention to euthaniase any of the animals.

MAF has issued two primary notices, the first requiring the park to meet MAF standards for animal enclosures.

The second requires the park to institute interim safety measures to protect staff where segregation from animals is not possible.

MAF says it wants to ensure "the welfare of the animals is not compromised and the park is being well managed".

Earlier today, the Lion Man, Craig Busch, questioned safety measures at the wildlife park where a game keeper was mauled to death by a tiger this week.

Mr Busch, who is currently involved in a hearing before the Employment Relations Authority over his dismissal from the Zion Wildlife Gardens, gave a statement to media this afternoon.

Mr Busch said Mr Mncube was the most experienced employee at the park to be dealing with the male tigers while he himself was not there.

"I think there needs to be more experience," Mr Busch said.

In a halting and emotional voice Mr Busch said he wanted to say goodbye to his friends Dalu and Abu and was sad to see them die the way they did.

"I am deeply concerned about the future of the park, safety issues, the way it is being managed and the well-being of these animals," Mr Busch said.

He said his protocol with the tigers was that no one was to go inside the enclosure without him.

"Even at times I didn't feel like going in there, I'd have to lock them up to go and clean out," Mr Busch said.

He said when he was at the park there were "no behavioural issues" with the tiger.

"My issues are, number one - is safety at this park, also the management and the rising debt that has tripled in the last few years and also, the well-being of these animals, which is a big one."

Asked if the attack would have happened if he was at the park, Mr
Busch said: "I don't know."

Later he said: "The best person to handle these animals is right here, you're looking at him."

He said he raised many of the tigers from a young age and he knew them "inside out".

"I raised Abu from a young age. To see him destroyed is also a tragedy to me," Mr Busch said.

He said his protocol was to lock the tigers in another enclosure while cleaning out their enclosure.

Mr Busch said he would have used a quad bike to charge the cat, had it been handy.

He also said he would have used a fire extinguisher, which staff at the park had reportedly used to try and rescue Mr Mncube.

Mr Busch was asked if the park was an ongoing viable operation.

He said if any of the animals were put down, he would "not be
amused".

He avoided questions about his dismissal but denied smoking marijuana while with the cats in an enclosure at the park, an allegation which was earlier made by a carpenter at an ERA hearing.

Three investigations into the death of Mr Mncube are underway. Police, the Department of Labour and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry are all interviewing witnesses to Mr Mncube's death.