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The Lion Man

Season 2

  • TVNZ 1
  • 30m
  • New Zealand
  • English
  • Documentary
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.

13 episodes

Season Premiere

2x01 Episode 1

Season Premiere

2x01 Episode 1

  • no air date30m

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.

2x02 Episode 2

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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.

2x03 Episode 3

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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.

2x04 Episode 4

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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?

2x05 Episode 5

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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.

2x06 Episode 6

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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.

2x07 Episode 7

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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.

2x08 Episode 8

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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.

2x09 Episode 9

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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.

2x10 Episode 10

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Craig visits a tiger sanctuary under construction at a Buddhist temple being run by Monks.

2x11 Episode 11

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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.

2x12 Episode 12

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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.

2x13 Episode 13

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A lookback over the past season, showing the viewers favorite moments.

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