Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Wildlife park's receivers await ruling over access

Updated at 8:30 pm on 9 August 2011

Receivers are waiting on a court ruling to give them access to Zion Wildlife Gardens in Whangarei.

A hearing took place at the Wellington High Court on Tuesday to allow receivers from PricewaterhouseCoopers to serve notices to the wildlife park's managing director.

Craig Busch founded the park, but was sacked as manager by his mother Patricia Busch in 2008. Ms Busch took over his debts and the park when he ran into financial trouble.

Ms Busch has refused to allow the receivers on the property and is launching legal action to try to stop the big cats from being sold or put down.

The receivers say they hope to have access to the park on Wednesday morning.

In 2009, a keeper was fatally mauled by a tiger at the wildlife park.

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