Hungry lions eat into Rabobank’s dues
Perhaps it's no wonder Rabobank applied for court order to put the big cats at Zion Wildlife Gardens down - they cost so much to feed.
Whangarei’s Zion Wildlife Gardens, in receivership, still owes Rabobank $2.5 million post sale.
And perhaps it’s no wonder Rabobank applied for court order to put the big cats at the park down - they cost so much to feed.
While the rural lender has received just over 5 cents in the dollar of total dues of $2.7 million from the private animal park, $46,325 was spent on meat for the 35 large cats – including lions and white tigers – in the eight months since receivership.
The latest report from receivers PwC reveals almost twice that amount ($91,353) was spent on legal fees between July and March, and receivers’ fees were almost nine times that at $406,393.
The six-month report from PwC follows sale of the animal park in late January.
New owners Zion Wildlife Kingdom engaged former owner and Lion Man TV star Craig Busch to help run it.
Prior to the sale, Rabobank, the park’s first-ranking secured creditor, courted controversy when it applied to Auckland High Court for an order over the animals. It was reported it asked to move or euthenase the cats.
A petition to stop Rabobank’s request was signed by 900 supporters internationally.
PwC has always stated welfare of the animals was a priority of the receivership.
Zion Wildlife Gardens opened in Kamo near Whangarei in 2002 by Mr Busch. His mother Patricia took over in 2006 after she raised money to pay off debts.
PwC was appointed in July when the park’s unpaid tax bill was nearing $100,000.
Zoo keeper Dalu Nncube was fatally mauled while he was cleaning a tiger cage at the park in May 2009.
Georgina Bond
Mon, 26 Mar 2012
Mon, 26 Mar 2012
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Hungry lions eat into Rabobank’s dues
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