'Lionman' files claim against his mother

Legal wrangling over Whangarei's controversial Zion Wildlife Gardens has now seen "Lionman" Craig Busch file a near quarter of a million dollar civil claim against his mother, Patricia.

Details of the High Court claim revealed the extent of the breakdown in relations between the pair.

Mr Busch, who has appeared in a television series as the Lionman, has been seeking regain control of the wildlife park from his mother.

He had agreed to let his mother take over in 2006 after a period of personal difficulty, in which he was convicted of seriously assaulting his female partner.

Mrs Busch raised a loan of more than $1 million to repay his company and personal debt.

In exchange, she was given power of attorney, sole directorship and her son's shares in the company.

The statement of claim outlines a series of allegations against Mrs Busch and the other defendants - Zion Wildlife Gardens; Country Developments; Wildlife Pictures; Primal Productions and Kaukapakapa business advisor and company director Michael Bailey, The Northern Advocate reported.

Mr Busch is seeking $200,000 in general damages and $30,000 in exemplary damages and costs.

He has asked the court to cancel 2006 and 2007 legal agreements, cancel Mrs Busch's shareholding in Country Developments and Zion Wildlife Gardens, restore him as sole shareholder, and cancel Mrs Busch as his proxy and attorney.

The defendants have denied the serious allegations made in Mr Busch's statement of claim.

At an Employment Relations Authority hearing in May, Mr Busch said he had been unfairly sacked by his mother but in August he dropped his bid for reinstatement.

The park is still seeking the return of company property from him and claiming for loss of income and legal costs due to his action.

In May, South African animal keeper Dalu Mncube was mauled to death by a tiger at the park.

- NZPA