lion safari park west auckland

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Relic from a lost safari park.

If game parks are a modern development from the acclimatisation societies and their peculiarities, safari parks are a close relative. But safari parks deal exclusively in the visitor animals—none of their stock have ever been liberated, or are ever likely to be. The Auckland Lion Safari Park is the newest of these, opened at the end of 1981. Other entrepreneurs have tried the venture, the earliest being the Orana Lion Park outside Christchurch. Until recently there were two others—one at Paraparaumu and another outside Hamilton—but these failed. The new park at Auckland has the backing of a circus organisation—the Bullen organisation, which is involved in six safari parks in Australia—so it has its roots in the exotic animal-keeping business that is the oldest of them all. To visit a safari park, one does not leave one's car (although if you are a politician you can get a free ticket to travel through on a pushbike). Windows must be kept closed at all times, as you drive slowly and gaze at lions. It is the ultimate step in transferring alien animals to our environment.

23 comments:

Bullens also had an operation at Waikanae. The old Lion Park was a great place. Such a shame it vanished. Very little information is around. The Lion Pride was quite large. The highlight of the day was the caged meat truck they would take out into the main enclosure. One of the staff would be inside the cage part at the rear of the vehicle and use a stick to push the meat out.The cats would leap up on top and grab the met (mainly horse. I remember the camel. They had other attractions as well including the two tigers which you could only drive through their enclosure slowly and not stop. I'll check with Tony on this he may know a lot more since he had a long association with the former Bullens Circus/Safari.

Bullens supplied the Lions from Warragamba Dam Wildlife Park, Australia. They also supplied Manager John Schmidt and Wife Mavis Vance, plus it their son...my good friend Jimmy Vance. I was also a Game Warden and holder of the title.. "HE WHO RIDES BICYCLE THROUGH LION COMPOUND". Yes that Urban Legend is very true. SPENCER FAULKNER.

also.. CHRIS CAMBRIDGE PRODUCTIONS put the Million Dollars up to buy the land off Barry Crumps brother Colin. He owned an 18 hole Golf Course at 60 Redhills Rd Massey. Chris was a Music Promoter, signing Elton John amongst other Stars. The Safari Park was his brainchild. Chris recuperated his initial investment in the first week of opening. Opening weekend caused a traffic gridlock for a 10km radius and it was apparently worth the 4 hour average wait to get in.

Hi Timespanner and Liz, I'd like to speak to someone about the lion park, ideally the owner or a head keeper ... would you happen to know who that might be and if they are still contactable? Thanks! :-)

Hi there Willow Spencer Faulkner who has commented further down in the comments use to work at the park He left his email address for contact I don't think he will mind me putting it here to help you out. Contact Spencer Faulkner email: [email protected]

Spence here Liz. No problem, happy to help out WILLOW THE WISP

Awesome as Spence!

Thanks, Liz.

I was the young Game Warden who rode the bicycle through the Lion Park I always though of it as I one of those things we all did when we were young.. But I had no fear and big Kahuna's LOL Its weird because I got a phone call from MAI 88.6 FM radio station Auckland a couple of years ago seeking Urban Legends as such.. Anyways I'm working in the Entertainment Industry still.. With Johnny Depp filming Pirates of the Carribean 5 on the Gold Coast. I would be happy to fill your blank spaces in. Cheers. Spencer Faulkner.

Your post sent me off exploring on Google maps as I'm sure I was taken there as a child (although I'd quite forgotten until reading your post!). I have memories of being driven in a car around a looping track watching lions being fed. The series of now partially obscured tracks in an area just north of Red Hills Road seem to agree with this memory: http://goo.gl/maps/50I7d. Coincidentally I happened to be doing some research on an entirely different topic this morning and came across a familiar aerial photograph. It seems that this location was later used for filming many Hercules and Xena Warrior Princess episodes in the 90s. A page with more detail is here: http://crnz.info/nx/lionpark/lionpark.html Apparently the series of sets were called "The Lion Park" by actors and crew so there was clearly knowledge of the previous use of the area. The sets are long gone although some of the perhaps more mundane or practical buildings remain, along with a small pond. I wonder how the land is used now? Farming perhaps?

Correct.. I was an original Game Warden at the Park in 1981 when I was still attending Waitakere College. I'm also a Film Crew member from HERCULES and Xena 1995-1999.. and Disneys LEGEND OF THE SEEKER 2008..we used the Lion Park reference for its site at Redhills Rd Massey.. You can check AUCKLAND LION safari park Facebook page for more info .. My real name is SPENCER FAULKNER.. Google IMBD.. or add me on Facebook for more info if you want. I'm happy to share ;-)

Oh and yes its farming now.. But a Persian Sheik brought the property plus extra land a few years ago..

Wonderful! Thanks so much for tracking that down -- I'll see if I can find some land history info tomorrow morning on the site. It all seems to be in one title at the moment. Auckland Council rates record describes it as "Lifestyle, Multi-Unit" so who knows -- but there is an interesting 1996 aerial on their GIS site.

A Sheik brought the land a few years ago.

we moved to NZ 1983..our kids were told that there were no dangerous animals here...Imagine the fright thry got when our first house at Ranui/Swanson was downwind from the Lions roars and growls at night!! We soon found out the source of the night roars lol We took the kids there a few times. There was a sheep show where all sheep breeds were on display and well trained to move on command. There was also a mini train and rail that went through the woods. The lions were pretty cool, especially at feeding time. There was a separate paddock we could drive through and put your window down at your own risk. We risked it and I have been terrified of girrafes ever since. I also recall the water slide, the petting zoo where the kids bottle fed calves and lambs and held rabbits. The kids slept better after our visits to the safari park knowing the lions were caged in!! Happy Days

I have lots of photos of this park. Actually, I have lots of photos that might interest you, full stop. Will email or Facebook msg you..

Please post some photos on my AUCKLAND LION SAFARI PARK Facebook page.. Or private message me some on my Facebook page SPENCER FAULKNER... FilmCrew Australia/ Drummer etc page..Cheers ;-)

Donna.. I would love to see some photos.. My email address is [email protected]

Hi Donna. Just chasing up any photos you may have please. My email address is [email protected]. Much appreciated

My family lived out west Auckland. I remember as a little girl, our family outing at the Safari, my father driving our little red Cortina watching the lions. Didn't they have other activities there as well or was that another fun park? Coincidentally ... my husband & children are also Bullens ... not sure if there is any connection to the Bullen brothers!

We used to drive down from Whangarei and meet family from Massey there and have family picnics... I remember going at least 3 times... I wished on one of those fairy flower things when I was a kid hahah... anyway... my best recollection was of the waterslide, that was the best! Driving through the lions scared me!

My family won free entry to the Auckland Lion Safari Park once. I think it was radio station 1ZB ran a competition to name the two new lion cubs, and my aunty came up with the names Khan and Sheba, which won. We had an awesome day out there, squashed into our silver Mk1 Cortina stationwagon, even if I had to enjoy the view from the boot of the car with the trail dust coming in, and the windows wound up. I came across this blog post searching for the "Auckland Lion Safari Action Park", which is the name I remember it as.

Hi my name is Vicky Wanless and I am production manager for the Mozzie Boyz Productionz. We are filming a documentary called LIONS IN OUR BACKYARD will be filming interviews with former staff around Australia and New Zealand in March 2019. We are looking for as many photos, videos, stories, newspaper and magazine articles, memorabilia, merchandise etc. It's a 2 part Doco with part 2 about Footrot Flats Leisure Park in Teatatu North Peninsula. Please send everything to [email protected] By submitting material, you are agreeing to give MOZZIE BOYZ PRODUCTIONZ permission to use said material for use in all forms of media for the purpose documenting related material to a global audience. Or if you were connected and wish to be interviewed please let us know how and your story to be considered. Much appreciated. Please tag someone or Share if you know someone who may have valuable contributions. Thank you. Please let me know if someone can help us. https://www.facebook.com/lionsinourbackyard/

Meet our extraordinary African lions at their new habitat, home to four brothers born in 2019 – Hodge, Harabi, Havoc and Hercules. Watch these impressive cats roar and explore their enriched environment, featuring scented planting and dens.

Lions, known for their iconic manes, use roars to assert dominance and scare off other prides - audible up to five miles away! Our state-of-the-art housing ensures 24-hour access to indoor and outdoor spaces, surrounded by lush vegetation.

Location: African Village

Haere mai to Auckland Zoo’s new lions!

Jane Healy , Auckland Zoo 15.09.2021

Auckland Zoo is excited to share it has welcomed three young female lions from Werribee Open Range Zoo in Australia as part of the international zoo breeding and advocacy programme for this increasingly threatened African big cat.

Twin sisters Aziza and Kibibi, and half-sister Ilola - all aged four years - arrived at Auckland Zoo on Tuesday evening, where they have begun their quarantine, a standard MPI and Auckland Zoo biosecurity requirement for all new animal arrivals. Once completed, the trio will have the full run of their strategically landscaped habitat in the heart of the Zoo’s Africa Safari Track, and enjoy all of the enriching sights, smells, and sounds that come with it!

Auckland Zoo’s Head of Animal Care and Conservation, Richard Gibson, says the highly complex process of planning for the lions’ move began many months ago and includes a great number of people, permits and processes, so it is a huge relief to have been able to progress this important animal transfer.

“While many things are not possible for any of us during these essential Covid lockdowns, there were fortunately no reasons for delaying the long-planned transport of these important big cats. Commercial aircraft and freight companies are still operating. We’ve worked closely with and had the full approvals and support of MPI and the equivalent Australian authorities, and together implemented strict Covid-19 protocols to achieve a very safe, smooth and successful move,” says Gibson. 

Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Acting Life Science Manager, Ben Gulli, said the lioness trio’s relocation to Auckland Zoo will help to maintain the important zoos’ breeding programme for the species in the region.

“This international program aims to maintain healthy and genetically viable prides of lions in zoos. This is a key component of protecting the precious species and helps to support the conservation of wild lion populations by raising awareness,” says Mr Gulli.

“Kibibi, Ilola and Aziza have helped to educate the Australian public about the plight of their species, inspiring action to support their wild cousins, and no doubt that will continue across the Tasman as they form a new lion pride at Auckland Zoo.”

Lion Aziza. Credit: Werribee Open Range Zoo

Lion IIola. Credit: Werribee Open Range Zoo

Lion Kibibi. Credit: Werribee Open Range Zoo

Auckland Zoo’s carnivore team leader, Lauren Booth, says she and her team are delighted to have welcomed the trio, who are already settling in well.

“Having three very clever young girls in Aziza, Kibibi and Ilola is both daunting and very exciting for us. We know they’ll have a lot to teach us, and we are really looking forward to getting to know each of them and their unique personalities - and once the Zoo can safely re-open, sharing them with all our visitors.”

“Lions are an incredibly charismatic and iconic species with engaging social dynamics and a simply majestic presence, that we all just can’t help but fall in love with,” says Lauren, who has worked with big cat species for the past 14 years.

Lions Aziza, Kibibi, and Ilola enjoying their kai

Footage taken at Werribee Open Range Zoo

“I feel they’re often thought of as very common, but the sad reality is that African lions (classed as ‘Vulnerable’/IUCN Red List) are now only found across eight percent of their historic range, and their numbers have almost halved over the past 25 years.

“Given this, having lions back at Auckland Zoo is fantastic, as we once again have this great opportunity to connect our community to these big cats and their story, and grow the Zoo’s mission to build a future for wildlife.”

While Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland remains in lockdown and Auckland Zoo is therefore closed to visitors, we continue to bring the Zoo to our communities via our social channels We look forward to keeping everyone updated about how Aziza, Kibibi and Ilola are continuing to settle in, so be sure to check in!

African Lion Fast Facts

• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species classifies African lions (Panthera leo) as ‘Vulnerable’. Over the past 21 years, the African lion population has decreased by 43% and continues to decrease. Once widespread across the African continent, it is now extinct in North Africa.
• Key threats to lions are human population growth and agricultural expansion – causing loss of habitat for lions, and increasingly, human-animal conflict. Illegal hunting, poaching and poisoning by livestock farmers are also impacting
• On average, lions sleep approximately 20 hours per day
• Female lions are the pride’s primary hunters and leaders.
• Auckland Zoo lions: Auckland Zoo has welcomed three four-year-old lionesses from Werribee Open Range Zoo in Australia as part of zoos’ international breeding and advocacy programme for this big cat species. They are twin sisters Aziza and Kibibi, and half-sister Ilola (pronounced ‘eee-lo-la’)

Q&A's

With auckland at alert level 4, how and why was auckland zoo able to go ahead with this lion transfer.

The incredibly complex process of planning for the lions’ move began many months ago and involved a great number of people, permits and processes. This included contingency planning should Auckland be in lockdown at the time of their move.

With all biosecurity, health, and safety protocols (Covid-19 among them) and approvals in place, there was no reason for our zoos to delay the long-planned transport of these important big cats. 

Commercial aircraft and freight companies are still operating. We worked closely with and had the full approvals and support of MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) and the equivalent Australian authorities, and together implemented strict Covid-19 protocols to achieve a very safe, smooth, and successful move.

It’s been confirmed that lions and other big cats can get Covid-19. How is Auckland Zoo protecting its lions and other cats?

Since this was confirmed, Auckland Zoo has been taking extra precautions with both carnivores and primates as both of these groups are susceptible to Covid-19. These measures include the specialist staff caring for them wearing PPE - face masks, gloves, changing footwear – at all times they are in close proximity to these animals, when undertaking animal food preparation, and when cleaning their indoor and outdoor habitats. When Auckland is at Alert Level 3 or 4, we divide the keeper teams into separate ‘bubbles’ to further minimise risk. Our veterinary team continues to stay up to date with the latest Covid-19 research relating to zoo animals and will adapt protocols as/when necessary.

Have these lions been tested for Covid-19? If not, why not?

No. We have no reason to suspect these lions have been, or will be, infected with Covid-19 as both Werribee Open Range Zoo and Auckland Zoo routinely practice strict biosecurity (including use of PPE) with the big cats in our care. Strict Covid-19 protective protocols were implemented throughout the transfer.

Standard MPI biosecurity and Auckland Zoo quarantine requires all new animal arrivals to be tested for a range of diseases to ensure a clean bill of health before they leave, and again once they arrive. This involves 30-day isolation periods both sides of the Tasman under intensive and extensive quarantine protocols.

When will public be able to visit to see the new lions?

Once Auckland moves to Alert Level 2, Auckland Zoo will be able to safely open. To visit us and see the lions, you’ll be required to book online and adhere to our Alert Level 2 conditions on site. In the meantime, from the safety of your bubbles, we’re continuing to bring Auckland Zoo to you via our social channels and website, and with the help of our keepers (essential workers) will keep you posted about how lions Aziza, Kibibi and Ilola are settling in.

Are we able to see video footage of these lions at Auckland Zoo?

Lions Aziza, Kibibi and Ilola are now in quarantine. This is a standard MPI and Auckland Zoo biosecurity requirement for all new animal arrivals. As soon as they are in their habitat in our Africa Safari Track, we’ll be able to film them, and share with everyone on our social channels, so be sure to check in regularly!

In the meantime, see above to watch some footage of Aziza, Kibibi and Ilola in action at their former home, Werribee Open Range Zoo, thanks to our zoo colleagues there.

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Lion park’s tumultuous history

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Ownership of the big cats at Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary has never been determined since the park started operations two decades ago. Photo / Michael Cunningham

News this week that Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary has gone into liquidation— just over a year after it re-opened under new management— came as a shock to many and not a surprise to some.

The iconic facility on Gray Rd in Kamo has changed names, owners, and re-opening dates since the big cats were moved from Puketotara in Kerikeri to the present site in early 2003. At the time, residents along that road were unsure if living among wild animals in their neighbourhood was a good idea.

What followed was a tumultuous, stop-start two decades in which the park went into receivership once and liquidation twice and has had a big cat handler mauled to death by white royal Bengal tiger Abu as he cleaned a cage in 2009.

Reporter Imran Ali takes readers down memory lane on the highs and lows of the park over the years.

Whangarei District Council granted a certificate of compliance for the first stage of the development at the park in early 2003 because it was deemed a permitted activity under WDC’s proposed district plan.

The 48-hectare site was to be home to an exotic display of animals including wild cats, deer, zebra, and horses.

The park was originally managed by Patricia Busch and her son Craig Busch, better known as The Lion Man, until both later became embroiled in a protracted legal battle over the ownership of Zion Wildlife Park and other matters.

Towards the middle of 2004, TV2 series Lion Man was shot at the park over nine weeks as television cameras followed Craig Busch on his dream to be part of a worldwide breeding and conservation programme for endangered big cats.

The film crew tracked Craig on a trip through South Africa funded by pet-food manufacturer Chef as part of its programme to help endangered cats. While in South Africa, he met fellow cat conservationist Ed Hearn who ran the Rhino Lion Park, 1600 hectares of grassland north of Johannesburg, and negotiated a deal to bring another rare lion to New Zealand.

British film producer Rowena Paxton accompanied Craig on his journey. She was hoping to use Zion in a TV series about the original Daktari vet, Sue Hart, who they visited and who worked with wild lions with Born Free’s George Adamson in the 1960s.

Rowena and Craig visited Headspruit, the world’s largest cheetah breeding centre, where Craig met seven of the 40 king cheetahs that remained worldwide at the time, and expressed his wish to bring a breeding pair back to New Zealand.

It was decided that Craig can keep his kings of the jungle entertaining the public at Zion after two hearings commissioners approved a resource consent application for the development of the lion park that ended doubts about its future.

An overwhelming 21 out of 25 submitters opposed Zion’s application and the main objections related to traffic, safety, sewage disposal and noise. One submitter claimed lions could be heard 8km away when roaring at night, but another person wrote they enjoyed the noise.

Damning documents from Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry at the end of 2008 expressed concerns over animals kept in crowded, unsanitary conditions. Officials were also concerned about barriers, with one external fence damaged and not repaired for a day and a half, and lions and tigers kept in the same enclosure.

Among the options being considered by MAF were finding a new operator, or even performing euthanasia on 40 of the park’s big cats.

At about the same time, Patricia Busch suspended her son from his job at the park, and the ministry suspended his operating license.

Auckland Zoo boss Glen Holland was brought in as a “licensed operator” as required by MAF, to be responsible for the animals. The feud between the mother and son ended up in the High Court, with the latter unsuccessfully asking the court to appoint independent directors to run the park because her mother was allegedly keeping details of the business’ finances from him.

He also took his mother to the Employment Relations Authority in 2009, claiming unjustified dismissal. A hearing in Whangārei had to be abruptly postponed after a tiger fatally mauled Dalu MnCube at the park.

Craig later withdrew his ERA claims.

In 2011, Zion Wildlife Gardens went into receivership and then into liquidation while Craig moved to have his mother declared bankrupt over a debt of $3800. Beth McVerry and Ian Stevenson of Tauranga announced the following year they were the new owners of Zion, with Craig back at the park with his big cats.

Auckland-based Bolton Equities bought the business from Earth Crest in mid-2014, renamed it Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary, and sunk in nearly $12 million to upgrade the facilities to Ministry of Primary Industries standard.

The park re-opened to the public in November 2021. A key issue that remains unresolved is who owns the big cats. A High Court hearing to determine the cats’ ownership, scheduled in the High Court at Whangarei in early 2012, was discontinued and the case closed.

Craig argued he had originally acquired the animals himself and then transferred them to Busch Wildlife Foundation Limited trustees via a sale and purchase agreement dated July 4, 2005.

Therefore, his position was the trust owned the animals.

If the transfer was invalid, his fallback position was that, by default, he must still be the owner of the animals.

One of the issues set to be determined at trial was whether he had validly transferred the animals to the trust.

His mother claimed the trust was effectively a sham and had never taken possession of the animals.

Late last year, Craig again claimed he owned the big cats and reportedly launched a fundraiser to move them 12,000km away to South Africa.

He further claimed sanctuary owners Bolton Equity and park management did not have his permission to open the park and show the cats.

His estranged mother is backing her son, saying Bolton Equities owned the park but was forcing control over the big cats.

She wrote letters to the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Bolton Equities and other related parties that raised the issue of filming rights at the park and ownership of the cats.

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Drive your own vehicle and get up close to our predators and other wildlife. No guide is provided; drive with your family and friends in your own time through the lion, wild dog, and cheetah enclosures as well as an extended game drive to view antelope and other species.

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