The Lion Man

For the 1919 film serial, see The Lion Man (serial). For the ancient sculpture, see Lion man of the Hohlenstein Stadel.

The Lion Man
Format	Documentary
Directed by	Reuben Pillsbury (Series 1-2) Craig Busch (Series 3-4)
Starring	Craig Busch
Narrated by	Paul Casserley (New Zealand) Miles Anderson (United Kingdom)
Country of origin	New Zealand
No. of series	4
No. of episodes	47
Production
Executive producer(s)	Reuben Pillsbury Rachel Gardner Craig Busch (Series 3-4)
Running time	30 minutes
Production company(s)	Great Southern Television
Broadcast
Original channel	TVNZ
Original run	2004 – 2008

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.

Four 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 four series' music was composed by Peter Blake and the theme tune lyrics written by Bob Smith.

The show highlighted the activities of the park, including the birth of cubs from different species, and the filming of lions for television adverts and other promotions. As well as its visitor income and these promotions, the series itself became a source of vital funding for the park.