Zion Wildlife Gardens

Infobox zoo
zoo_name = Zion Wildlife Gardens

logo_width = 100px
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image_caption =
date_opened =
location = Whangarei, New Zealand.
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num_animals = 43
num_species = 7
exhibits = Rare and endangered species.
website = http://www.zionwildlifegardens.co.nz/

Zion Wildlife Gardens is a private animal sanctuary in New Zealand that is dedicated to the preservation of big cats. The park houses many endangered species of Lion and Tigers, and also houses a Black Leopard, two Cheetahs, two Serval Cats and a Baboon. The park was established in 2003 from bare land situated on Gray Road, Kamo, Whangarei. The park is owned by Craig Busch, nicknamed the "Lionman" for his association with the park's big cats. While many of the cats kept are semi-wild, several of the cats have been hand reared by the park, and are tame enough for close interactions between Craig and others. The park is the location of the successful documentary series The Lion Man, which documents several events at the park and elsewhere.

Animals

The park has 43 Big cats, including:
* 13 Barbary Lions
* 3 Barbary Cross White Lions
* 10 White Lions
* 4 Orange Bengal Tigers
* 8 Royal White Bengal Tigers
* 1 Black Leopard
* 2 Serval Cats
* 2 Cheetahs (arrived from Africa in May 2007)

Preservation

Most of the big cats at Zion Wildlife Gardens are now extinct in the wild. It's estimated that there are only 120 Royal White Bengal Tigers, 150 White Lions and 100 Barbary Lions left in the world, all of which are in captivity.

Zion Wildlife Gardens has an extensive breeding program with animal exchanges often being made with other parks and reserves around the world.

In 2007 they had two litters of white lion cubs born, the first ever in New Zealand.

Funding

Zion Wildlife Gardens is a privately run animal sanctuary, and unlike a zoo, access to the public is available by a range of guided tours. As seen in the documentary series, walking tours accompanied by a guide with an actual big cat on a lead are available.

The park is funded through the tours, merchandise, donations. Additionally, funding and merchandising of the Lionman series, together with the use of some of the animals in television adverts and other promotions such as the British Lions tour of New Zealand, provide vital funding to the park.

All the money generated by the park goes towards the upkeep of the animals, their enclosures, and towards creating awareness of the importance to perserve these rare and endangered species.

External links

* [http://www.zionwildlifegardens.co.nz Zion Wildlife Gardens web site]