The Lion Man
Encyclopedia
The Lion Man was a New Zealand
television documentary series about a New Zealand big cat park called Zion Wildlife Gardens
. The series was named after the Lion Man, Craig Busch
, the park's founder, and followed him and his staff as they managed the park and its collection of approximately 30 lions and tigers of various species, and other animals. As well as first hand comment from Busch and his staff, the series was narrated throughout by actor Miles Anderson
.
In addition to the activities inside the park, the series showed Busch during related promotional activities and also his various wildlife missions abroad, including trips to Africa
and Thailand
. The Lion Man is one of New Zealand's most successful television series, showing in 93 countries world wide.
Three series were produced, the first of which began screening in New Zealand on 17 June 2004. The first two series were commissioned by state broadcaster TVNZ, but when a third series looked in doubt following Busch's conviction for assault. Independent funding was found to produce the third series and TVNZ decided to broadcast it after determining that there was still popular demand for the show. The show was produced by Great Southern Television
. The theme tune to the show is written by Bob Smith.
The show highlighted the activities of the park, including the birth of several cubs of different species, and the filming of the lions for television adverts and other promotions. As well as its visitor income and these promotions, the series itself was a source of vital funding for the park.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
television documentary series about a New Zealand big cat park called Zion Wildlife Gardens
Zion Wildlife Gardens
Zion Wildlife Gardens is a private animal sanctuary in Whangarei, New Zealand, dedicated to the preservation of big cats. The park houses many big cats, mainly lions and tigers, and also houses a black leopard, two cheetahs, two servals. It was established in 2002 by Craig Busch, who no longer...
. The series was named after the Lion Man, Craig Busch
Craig Busch
Craig Busch nicknamed "The Lion Man", is a New Zealand television personality. He was the founder, and remains the majority shareholder of .-Background:...
, the park's founder, and followed him and his staff as they managed the park and its collection of approximately 30 lions and tigers of various species, and other animals. As well as first hand comment from Busch and his staff, the series was narrated throughout by actor Miles Anderson
Miles Anderson
Miles Anderson is a Zimbabwean actor. He has lived in England and America for the last 40 years.He was born in 1947 in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Educated at Prince Edward school, his father commanded the Rhodesian Army until dismissed by Premier Ian Smith for his stance against racism and a...
.
In addition to the activities inside the park, the series showed Busch during related promotional activities and also his various wildlife missions abroad, including trips to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. The Lion Man is one of New Zealand's most successful television series, showing in 93 countries world wide.
Three series were produced, the first of which began screening in New Zealand on 17 June 2004. The first two series were commissioned by state broadcaster TVNZ, but when a third series looked in doubt following Busch's conviction for assault. Independent funding was found to produce the third series and TVNZ decided to broadcast it after determining that there was still popular demand for the show. The show was produced by Great Southern Television
Great Southern Television
Great Southern Television is a New Zealand film and television production company with offices in Auckland and Queenstown. The company produces film, drama, factual, comedy, light entertainment, reality and documentary. It was launched on June 1, 2002, and is owned by Philip Smith, Sir David Levene...
. The theme tune to the show is written by Bob Smith.
The show highlighted the activities of the park, including the birth of several cubs of different species, and the filming of the lions for television adverts and other promotions. As well as its visitor income and these promotions, the series itself was a source of vital funding for the park.