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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, 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 Paul Casserley in New Zealand and actor Miles Anderson in the United Kingdom. The series also showed Busch during related promotional activities as well as his various wildlife missions abroad, including trips to Africa and Thailand. The Lion Man was one of New Zealand's most successful television series, showing in 93 countries worldwide, including Sky1 in the United Kingdom. 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. 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. All three series' music was composed by Peter Blake and the theme tune lyrics written by Bob Smith.
Craig travels to South Africa to deliver 2 white tiger cubs to Ed Hern in return for Gandor and Shakira. Shanti has injured herself playing, leaving Craig to call out the local vet. Baby Khan is soon to be off to the vets as well, to treat an injury from just after he was born, which left him with a hernia.
Evoula, the white lioness is in labor, about to give birth to 2 white lion cubs, with Craig playing midwife. The wild barbary lions are trying to break into the white lion enclosure. Baby Khan visits the vets to treat his hernia.
Shakira has a visit from the dentist to treat a broken fang, as well as treatment to try and take her out of heat. The newborn lions get to experience the outdoors for the first time.
Shakira's contraceptive is tested by Gandor and Zion. There are more new arrivals, with the birth of 3 more white tiger cubs to Rewa, will she accept them, or reject them like her last cubs? Bad weather taxes the parks infrastructure, flooding the drains, and causing damage. Craig has a close call while playing with Indra and another tiger.
Megan and Michelle are caring for Rewa's 3 newborn tiger cubs. Meanwhile 3 Lion cubs meet recovered tigress Shanti. Shanti and Chaka travel to Auckland for an appearance at a pet store opening, but they find show business tiring. Back at the park, Michelle discovers Zion and Gandor fighting once more over in heat lioness Shakira, leaving Gandor injured.
Craig must separate Zion and Gandor to prevent their fighting over Shakira. The only option is to quickly build a new enclosure. The 3 baby tiger cubs are doing well, and starting to open their eyes to see the world for the first time. Indra causes problems for keeper Dalu while out for a walk. The 2 white lion cubs get to meet this dad Nadouma for the first time, face to face.
Amafu is about to give birth, and has been moved into Invoula's old den in preparation, however she catches everyone by surprise. The 3 tiger cubs are growing fast, and have been named as Khala, Asra, and Aneela, and are already starting to eat meat. Megan now has seven cubs to look after, while Craig goes fishing to try and get some treats for the park's tigers. Will the tigers appreciate his efforts?
Craig and Dalu try to get Amafu to take care of her 4 cubs. Kali pays a visit to the builders working on a new enclosure. Tigo has badly injured a paw, and Dalu is trying to get him weighed, ready for when the vet comes. Amafu continues to show little interest in her cubs, so the decision is made to release her back into her enclosure with Nadouma and Invoula, leaving Megan to care for the 4 cubs. The 3 baby tigers get to go outside for the first time, accompanied by Megan and Michelle.
Tigo is still recovering from the operation to repair his damaged paw. Tiger cub Khan is causing concern among the staff following his hernia operation several weeks ago. Craig is preparing Kali, and several other cats to travel to Hamilton for the yearly show. The 3 baby tiger cubs experience their first meal on solids, before finding out they will soon be sharing their barn with the 4 lion cubs. Tragedy strikes the park, with the loss of a tiger cub.
Craig and his team round up the cats for the road trip to Hamilton. Nadouma, Invoula and their 2 cubs, Kali, Indra, Amafu's 4 cubs, as well as Chaka and Shanti find themselves on the road to make their appearance at the Small Block Expo.
Craig visits the 4 white lion cubs, and feeds them with Megan, however one of the cubs doesn't want him to leave. The 3 tiger cubs, Khala, Asra, and Aneela, are doing well, and growing fast. Amafu is back with her pride, however she still hasn't learnt all her mothering skils, and is put swiftly in her place by Invoula. Chaka and Abdullah go for a walk with Craig and Dalu.
Craig is back in South Africa with Ed Hern, to obtain a pair of Cheetah cubs to add to the park, but first he gets a chance to catch up with Kiwi and Rongo, the tiger cubs he brought over a year earlier. Before they can be exported, they need a checkup from the vet. While the cheetahs get checked out, he travels to the Timbavati, to try and see his first love in the wild, the rare White Lion.
Craig is still in South Africa continuing to try and find the white lion in the wild. Back at the park, Dalu is tasked with feeding the big cats while Craig is away. He also has the job of trying to dart Gandor for a visit from the dentist. The 2 cheetahs Craig hopes to ship to New Zealand are getting a final checkup, and an identity chip, prior to entering quarantine.
Craig is back at the park after spending several weeks in South Africa, and is catching up with Zion, followed by Rewa's cubs. Later, Amafu's 4 lion cubs get to meet Rewa's 3 tiger cubs in person for the first time. The Lion Man get to meet the Tiger Man, to surprise a group of school children. The park is undergoing more building work, preparing a new enclosure. The 2 older lion cubs, Timbo and Tamba, join the other 7 cubs in their pen, will they react well to their new friends?
Craig is back in South Africa to try and collect the 2 cheetah cubs, but tragedy strikes.
Craig help Dalu take the tigers for a walk for the first time. The dentist visits for an operation on Shumba's tooth. More building work is needed on a temporary wet weather enclosure for the lion cubs, as they keep escaping from their pen
Craig is back in South Africa to collect the 2 older cheetahs that he wants, after the tragedy that took the life of the younger cheetah earlier in the series. Unfortunately, once more, there are problems, but Craig clears them up, before arriving back in New Zealand with the new cheetahs.
Craig and his team catch up with the cheetahs, on their first morning in quarantine. Zion and Shya will have to move enclosure to make way for the cheetahs, but they're moving next to Craig himself to feel more at home.
The 2 cheetahs are settling into their new enclosure. It's time for the wild deer's yearly healthcheck, and Craig and the team have to round them up. The new enclosure for the 4 lion and 3 tiger cubs is finished for them to move into. The big cats get a visitor courtesy of "Make a Wish", leaving Chaka with a new girlfriend.
A lookback at the past season at the park.
Lion Man, Craig Busch, works with girlfriend Karen to operate Zion Wildlife Gardens in New Zealand, with 12 lions and 5 tigers. Is Shikana pregnant by Tigo? The only option is for Craig to check, if Shikana will let him. A new tiger is born, 10 days earlier than planned,
We catch up with Shikana and baby cub. Construction at the park continues, to establish permanent enclosures for all the cats. Tragedy strikes, with the loss of a tiger.
Shikana is getting over the loss of her cub, and may well be pregnant again. Craig spends some time with the 3 lions in the parks troublesome family, trying to smooth their transition. Savana is not happy and Aslan can prove it.
Shikana is moved to the new birthing den to try and assist with her second litter. A new face arrives at the park to help Craig. Zion gets to strut his stuff in style practicing for a new appearance on tv. Craig has to enter the wild pride enclosure, will he come out in one piece?
An English film producer visits to see if the lions could help her with some film work. Rowena from the film crew surprises Craig with some of her contacts, who may be able to help Craig obtain a rare white lion. Lynette gets up close with the wild pride. Jadu needs to see the vet to receive treatment for an injured elbow. Will Shikana continue to care for her baby Sita, or will Craig need to step in. Aslan and Narnia get to visit the beach.
Craig visist Ed Hern in South Africa to try and obtain the rarest cat of all, a white lion cub called Gandor.
Craig and Rowena visit cheetah park in South Africa, and Craig wants to try and obtain some cheetahs to add to Zion Wildlife Park. Back at the park, Lynette is feeding the cats. Craig meets one of the original Daktari's of South Africa.
Still in South Africa, Craig is finalising the deal for Gandor. Craig travels to the home of the Lion Queen, in the Timbavati, where the White Lions come from.
Craig has arrived back at the park, and the cats can't wait to see him. Zion lets Craig know how he feels about being left alone without his friend. Aslan, Narnia and Savannah have become quite a handful while Craig was away in South Africa. While Craig and Karen are out for a rare night off, white tiger Abu falls ill.
A lookback over the viewers favorite stories from the series
Gandor shows Craig his new friends in South Africa, before getting a wash. Meanwhile Karen is looking after the cats back at the park. Baby tigress Sita is growing up, but can she be controlled. Gandor and Shakira enter quarantine prior to their move to New Zealand.
Gandor and Shakira touch down in New Zealand, how will they take to their new home? Shikana is pregnant again, and everyone's hoping she's carrying white cubs. Karen and Herms take care of Gandor and Shakira while they are in quarantine.
All the park staff are taking bets on when Shikana will give birth. The tigers get new water tubs to play with, while their permanent enclosures are still being constructed. Zion is making another appearance on Sky TV prior to the arrival of the British Lions rugby team.
Shikana and her 2 daughters are doing well, Abu and Jhadu are trying to decide who will win Rewa's affection, with one of them getting injured in the process. Craig visits another trainer to learn about working with wolves. Is Rewa pregnant with that elusive white tiger cub?
Shikana allows Craig to play nanny to her cubs, before they are taken away for hand rearing. Aslan and Craig do some training for an appearance on a TV advert. Sita gets to meetup with her mother Shikana once more.
Aslan and Narnia go for a walk, but Zion isn't too appreciative. Gandor and Shakira are finishing their time in quarantine, what will they find of life on the outside? One of the white tigers will get to make an appearance on TV, but which will win the producer's attention.
Aslan, Savannah and Narnia are growing up fast, and Aslan is forced to spend some time alone, when the 2 girls come into heat. As a consolation, he gets to explore the office instead. Savannah plays with Craig, but while she's in heat, will he be able to control her? Kali and Indra don't like their new fashion accessories...collars. Craig gets to play an unusual football game, with 3 lions.
Karen and Herms have left the park following a disagreement with Craig, leaving him alone to run the park. Rewa might finally be pregnant, and as a result is moved to the birthing enclosure to ensure a safe birth. Later on, it's a tense time with a dangerous birth for Rewa, leaving Craig with a tough decision whether to take the cubs from her. A new face arrives at the park to help Craig out with the cats.
Craig and Kat have been bottle feeding Rewa's cubs to raise them, after she rejected them. Wild lion Samson is trying to maintain control of his pride, from his son Shumba, with the end result of a fight between them. Craig trains his assistants Kat and Diane before getting ready for his trip to Thailand.
Craig visits a tiger sanctuary under construction at a Buddhist temple being run by Monks.
Craig travels to North Thailand to learn from another animal expert...about elephants. Back at the park, the white tiger cubs are doing well, having finally opened their eyes for the first time.
Craig visits a Zoo to see the rare cat, a clouded leopard. He later visits and elephant hospital, and gets to make some very big new friends. On his return the park, all the cats are happy to see their Alpha male once more.
A lookback over the past season, showing the viewers favorite moments.
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