7th April
The Lionman Returns to ZION
After 3 years Craig Busch the Lionman has opened the park Kingdom of ZION to the public.
There has been much to celebrate with the official opening to the public; however the health and well being of the Big Cats has been Craig’s main project since return to the park.
The new owners of the park asked Craig to come and help restore the Park and to again be united with his family again. There is a positive future now for these animals.
There is a plan in place to restore the safety of the enclosures and restructure the facility so that the safety of the keepers is no longer compromised.
The new vision for ZION is to preserve these endangered Cats for generations to come.
Visit Kingdom of Zion for a new look of the Park.
10th January
A Tribute to Vusi
A very brave little Rhino who captured the hearts of so many for the short time he was with us. May he now rest in peace with his mother and sister.
This video documents the events of an innocent Rhino, Vusi. It has truth, reality, emotion and personal sorrow and was captured whilst Vusi was in the care of the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve. Lorinda from the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve explains what happened....” Based on feedback from visitors about the conditions under which Vusi was being kept, the SPCA had instructed us to move him into a quarantined enclosure away from the other two rhino calves, Velo and Vuma, to protect him from the recent bad weather. We believe it may have been this separation from his only form of (rhino) company that finally proved too traumatic for Vusi to handle.”
There is no way one can escape the fact that Vusi lost his life because of poor human values and greed.
Man is destroying what we are entrusted to protect. I ask you to all to stand united and take responsibility for the long term survival of our animals and our planet.
I wish I could explain why after all the tragedies and losses that I have witnessed, this one has had such an enormous impact on me. As soon as I think about Vusi, it breaks my heart. I am sad for an innocent and precious life, cut tragically and needlessly short.
RIP Vusi – killed by greed.
‘The only failure in life is the failure to fight’
Vusi Photo Gallery
17th December
Poaching Orphan Vusi- Dies
A Sad Loss. It is with deep regret that we confirm Vusi the orphaned rhino has died. Craig pictured here with one of the Game Reserve carers, along with many in the Rhino conservation community are all deeply saddened. Lorinda Hern of the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve announced this morning that little Vusi passed away during the night. This news was released by Lorinda Hern which you can read here.
9th December
Baby Rhino Orphaned at 9 Months - Another Sickening Killing by Poachers
A male baby Rhino aged just 9 months old was cruelly orphaned two nights ago in the Vryburg Kalahari area. Yet another sickening attack by poachers where his mother was shot, her prized horn crudely sawn off in front off her young offspring. The calf was found suffering from grief and dehydration and moved into care at the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve owned by Ed Hern.
The vet and Craig stayed with the young calf day and night as he was placed on a drip with fluids to rehydrate him. It was touch and go as to whether he would make it through the night. Fortunately, with the right care, he has grown stronger and has now been placed with other orphaned rhinos. ‘The worst thing you can do with a Rhino is to leave it on its own as it will die of loneliness’
Africa Geographic news room covered the same story “At R7m a horn, poaching is big business”
In an attempt to stop poaching, the Rhino and Nature Reserves spokeswoman Lorinda Hern explains how they are 'trying to strike fear in the hearts of poachers' by injecting a deterrent pesticide into the Rhinos horns. People who ingest the horn, a common practice among some Asians who believe it to have medicinal properties, could fall ill, as a result of the horn being treated with the toxic ectoparasitacide, used to control parasites. Lorinda says the horns will also be treated 'with an indelible dye to discourage ingestion. Our greatest desire is that no person ever touches a rhino horn again. Failing that however, we do want to strike fear in their hearts, so that they know we mean businesses.
In the past 2 months, all the reserves rhino have been treated with the ectoparasitacides and are in excellent health and are being carefully monitored.
Read the same article on iol news Poison plot aims to make rhino killers sick
Craig is standing tall in promoting his 'One World' message. Ed Hern, Lorinda Hern and Craig Busch are actively working together to publicise Rhino Poaching and the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve have been active in trying to find a deterrent to this cruel business of slaughtering these majestic animals.
27th November
 Breaking News – Rhino Poaching in South Africa set to turn a corner.
The Lion Man film crew saw striking evidence of nearly 300 Rhino deaths in SA as well as new methods to combat the savage and defenceless deaths of these magnificent animals. The Lionman Craig Busch say “We are part of One World entrusted with the care and preservation of all animals, what part can you play in that journey ?" It is hoped these new methods will be a great step towards a balanced solution to combating Rhino poaching.
As recent as 26th November a group of game park owners facilitated a meeting for South African Government officials and the press to announce new activities taken to protect Rhinos in SA. Extensive research and testing has led to this solution being adopted and is exciting news. Read the press release atttached detailing the work that has been undertaken by Dr. Charles van Niekerk and “Project Rhino Rescue” Ms. Lorinda Hern.
SABC released news today titled "New method to deter Rhino horn poaching" supporting our evidence and the results working towards combating poaching of the fast depleting Rhino population in SA. Please continue to read and follow these news articles as they come to hand.
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