Lion Man's $230,000 lawsuit targets mum and Zion parties

Craig Busch. Photo / Northern Advocate

The depth of the breakdown in relations between "Lion Man" Craig Busch and his mother Patricia over Whangarei's Zion Wildlife Gardens has been revealed in High Court action between the pair.

Busch, famous around the world as the Lion Man, from the popular TV programme of the same name, has filed a civil statement of claim in the court at Whangarei.

The document, given to the Northern Advocate, includes a series of allegations against Patricia Busch and the other defendants in the proceedings - Zion Wildlife Gardens, Country Developments, Wildlife Pictures, Primal Productions and Kaukapakapa business adviser and company director Michael Bailey.

In their statement of defence, the defendants have denied the serious allegations made in Busch's statement of claim.

Busch is seeking damages and asking the court to:

* Cancel 2006 and 2007 legal agreements.

* Cancel Mrs Busch's shareholding in Country Developments and Zion Wildlife Gardens.

* Restore Craig Busch as sole shareholder.

* Cancel Mrs Busch as his proxy and attorney.

The full extent of damages being sought will be filed six weeks before the matter goes to trial. A court date is yet to be set.

Busch seeks $200,000 in general damages and $30,000 in exemplary damages and costs.

He claims that the third Lion Man series was screened without his permission and wants profits from the shows to be used to pay Zion's debts and the rest given to him.

The defendants deny the series was screened without his permission.

Legal reasons prevent the Advocate from detailing many of the claims and counterclaims made.

Claims relating to animal welfare, big-cat handling, staff training and business deals pepper the documents, as do allegations of false and malicious claims to authorities.

Busch also claims that he has difficulty understanding legal agreements due to a reading difficulty, and that he has suffered from emotional, financial and physical stress.