The Lion Man
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 Craig Busch, the park's founder,[1] who had styled himself as "the Lion Man". The series followed Busch and the park's employees 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.
The series also showed Busch during related promotional activities as well as his various wildlife missions abroad,[2] including trips to Africa and Thailand. The Lion Man was one of New Zealand's most successful television series, showing in 93 countries worldwide.[3]
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 a third series looked in doubt following Busch's conviction in 2007 for assaulting his partner at the park in 2005.[3] 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 was written by Bob Smith.
The show highlighted the activities of the park, including the birth of cubs from different species, and the filming of lions for television adverts and other promotions. As well as its visitor income and these promotions, the series itself became a source of vital funding for the park.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ NZ Companies Office
- ^ The Lion Man IMDB page
- ^ a b c McNaughton, Maggie (27 October 2007). "Lion man returns despite conviction". The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/television/news/article.cfm?c_id=339&objectid=10472416. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
[edit] External links
- The Lion Man page at the Great Southern Television website
- Zion Wildlife Gardens website
- The Official Lionman website
- The Lion Man at the Internet Movie Database
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