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Clubflat in Australia & New Zealand 2009

   


 

New Zealand's answer to Steve Irwin is Craig Busch, The Lion Man who runs Zion Wildlife Park, www.nzlionman.com or www.zionwildlifegardens.co.nz.  You may have seen his series "The Lion Man" on Sky and if you have you will be as hooked as everyone else.  Don't go to NZ without going here, it will be the best day out you have ever had.  The actual lion used to model Aslan from the film Narnia is from Zion.  Just check out his magnificent mane, there is no mistaking this lion for any other. Unlike Steve Irwin's zoo, Zion has not yet become overrun by commercialisation.  It is quite raw and has a pure focus on the preservation of big cats and building their bonds with the keepers, rather than making money at every possible opportunity.  As you can't wander around the park freely, several types of tour are on offer.  While the tours aren't cheap they are up close and personal and worth every penny.  We went on the top notch 'The Works Tour' which is guided by none other than Dalu himself off the TV series.  He gets in with the big cats and has them perform some amazing demonstrations to show you their individual characteristics.  On 'The Works Tour' you then get guided round all the enclosures again for feed-out time.  This is not like any feeding you may have seen at a zoo.  The bond between the park keepers and the big cats is what really makes all the difference here as they show you the individual behaviour of each type of big cat when their food arrives.  It is just awesome to experience.  As well as the tours you can have a personal encounter with a big cat.  But it's so addictive that we had an encounter with four of them!  Touching and feeling a lions mane and the different types of fur on these big cats is simply sensational.  But when you then get told to hug a huge lion tightly round it's neck, or told to hold their tree-trunk sized tails, and even get an unbelievable chance to hold their giant paws, well, WOW!  It is out of this world.  Again the big cat encounters aren't cheap, but it is affordable and definitely worth it.  The real winner is you can take as many photo's as you like, rather than being ripped off for a single framed photo liked you would at a more commercialised zoo, so you really will never forget any of the precious moments of your day.  Below are just a few sample pics from over 450 that were taken on just this day alone!

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW YOU CAN HELP THE LION MAN & THE AMAZING BIG CATS!!

 

The drive north to The Lion Man in Whangarei is a great journey in itself

Superb scenery makes the 3 hour trip from Auckland seem like 20 mins

Clubflat lands in the small reception cabin

Clubflat souvenirs were also available for purchase

A little gift is left behind for The Lion Man

Look out for the Clubflat card on the next Lion Man TV series!

Glenys and Dennis were great and just added to the fabulous day

Look out for this dude Ash in the next Lion Man series

Indira was an absolutely gorgeous tigress

That is one big tiger head

How rude!

Hope Indira doesn't let one rip now

"I'm so pretty and I know it"

Touching the giant paw was just awesome

Indira show's off her fangs

Hero tries his charm on this gorgeous female

All the characteristics of an overgrown tabby

The black leopard has the longest claws of all the big cats

Dalu shows how big these cats really are

A little snack for this one

Cheetah's were wild when they were first brought to the park

But they are now semi-tamed - as long as there's food involved!

These 3 were small little cubs in the last series of The Lion Man!

Dalu feeds his little babies

This is Indira, the same tiger we touched!

All raised together from birth, this tiger now shares with three lions!

Big cuddly lion Tshaka enjoys a few strokes

Another big cat with a rudeness problem!

That's what you call a paw

Lucy cuddles up and enjoys the amazing feel of a lions mane

"Put your arms round his neck", Dalu says

"No, right round his neck". Gulp, OK

 

Cleo the lioness was a real gorgeous lady...

...but also a rude one!

Cleo enjoys a cuddle from Hero

Cleo's tail was bigger than Lucy's arm!

Lets hope those claws don't pop out!

Cleo grins happily as she has her fur ruffled

"Have I got any food stuck in my teeth?"

Lucy's favourite big cat encounter was Cleo

Gorgeous Shanti winces just like a domestic cat when her head is ruffled

Of all the big cats, Shanti's fur was by far the softest

You don't want to get between those!

Shanti sure knows how to pose for the camera

Lucy gives Shanti a rub

Shanti is considering bobbing her tongue out like the others did

Now Dalu enjoys a rub off Hero

 

The Lions Man's house as seen on TV!

Zion, the star lion which Aslan from the film Narnia was modelled on

No other lion in the park had a mane quite as magnificent as this

Gandor the white lion parades around like royalty

 

Dalu demonstrates just how big Abu, the

largest cat in the park actually is

Precisely why the fence tops are electrified!

Thabo the cheetah shows her wild side

Demetri took all the superb photo's during our big cat encounters

Dennis was proud to be associated with Clubflat

Looks like it could be full of crocs, however there are actually no

crocs or any poisonous animals in New Zealand! Winner!

New Zealand has more shades of green than a sea-sick sailor

 

Pizza stop in some remote town - it was always going to get Clubflatted

Better make sure your missus is decent looking before going to visit