Press Release
Animal Plant to air ‘The Lion Man: African Safari’
MUMBAI: While most fear them, watch Craig Busch handle the king of the jungle with astounding flair and courage, in Animal Planet’s all new series THE LION MAN: AFRICAN SAFARI. Founder of the Zion Wildlife Gardens, Kiwi farm boy Craig Busch is a self-taught wild cat trainer and has dedicated his life to the welfare and breeding of the big cats.
Starting July 1st, join Craig on THE LION MAN: AFRICAN SAFARI, as he tracks down poachers and fight devastating bushfires, every night at 9 pm on Animal Planet.
Craig’s unique sanctuary, Zion Wildlife Gardens, in the north island of New Zealand, is home to some of the most endangered animals on the planet. He has created a haven for rare, endangered cats such as white Bengal Tigers, Barbary Lions and White Lions at the reserve. Working for over 30 years with these animals, his ‘not-so-easy’ job includes bottle feeding lions almost four times a day, supervising their health, and managing a park spread over 500 acres of land.
THE LION MAN: AFRICAN SAFARI follows Busch and the park’s employees as they manage the park and its collection of approximately 30 lions and tigers of various species, and other animals like rhinos and elephants. The series sees Craig heading on a new adventure, traveling to the ancestral land of lions – Africa – on a mission to help save these animals. He travels to Timbavati, home to the world’s only white lions in the wild to offer viewers rare glimpses of the cat. Craig visits VulPro, the vulture conservation program in Africa and engages with Kerry Wolter who has been working on the birds’ rehabilitation initiative. The episodes trail his journey as he helps relocate Siberian tigers to new enclosures and meets local volunteers who share common passion and care for the young cats.
The series documents Craig’s mission and a passionate band of animal-loving supporters who have been searching for missing cheetahs, heal desperately ill tigers, and track down unscrupulous rhino killers. He has also sought out like-minded animal experts and conservationists around the globe (including “Wolf Man” Shaun Ellis) to help with his cause. Along the way, he has adopted and raised many orphaned baby animals like an orphaned White Lion cub named Jabullah and lovingly hand-rears several Barbary Lion cubs. Craig has been traveling across the world to exchange the cubs, in order to enhance the blood lines of some of the rare cat and has helped to bring them back from the brink of extinction.
Bali is full of memorable moments, and some of them involve animals. Temple monkeys tug at bags, beach dogs nap near sunbeds, and cats wander into cafés like they own the place. Most interactions are harmless, but a bite or scratch can change the day quickly, because you may need immediate medical care and follow-up treatment. This is where Bali travel insurance becomes more than a box to tick.
In this article, you will explore whether animal bite treatment is insured, the exclusions, and the steps to claim easily in Bali.
Why Animal Bites in Bali Need Special Attention
Bites are not only about the visible wound. Insurers and doctors both treat them as medical events that can pose an infection risk, especially when the bite breaks the skin.
A scratch that looks small in the moment can still lead to:
● A doctor’s examination and wound cleaning
● Medicines and dressings
● Follow-up consultations if the doctor advises observation or further care
From an insurance perspective, this matters because claims are usually assessed on medical necessity and documentation, not on how dramatic the injury appears in a photo.
How International Travel Insurance Looks at an Animal Bite
Most travel policies are built around emergency medical expenses for unexpected illness or accidental injury abroad. A bite or scratch usually fits the accidental injury bucket, but coverage is rarely blanket.
In many plans, the following may be considered if a doctor prescribes them and bills and medical notes support them:
● Consultation and outpatient treatment
● Emergency care and procedures, such as wound dressing or stitches, if clinically required
● Prescribed medicines and investigations
● Hospitalisation if the treating doctor confirms it is needed
Common Reasons Claims Get Reduced or Rejected
This is the part travellers often miss. Insurers usually do not deny claims because an animal was involved. Claims become difficult when the event looks avoidable, the reporting is delayed, or the paperwork is weak.
Avoidable-Risk Situations Insurers Scrutinise
Policies commonly exclude or limit claims linked to unsafe conduct or preventable exposure. For animal bites, scrutiny may increase if the incident appears connected to:
● Provoking, feeding, or trying to handle wild animals
● Ignoring warning signs at tourist spots
● Being intoxicated at the time of the incident
● Activities that a policy lists as excluded or restricted
The takeaway is simple: if your own description sounds like a risky choice rather than a sudden accident, the insurer may challenge it.
Delays, Missing Papers, and Policy Conditions
Even when your incident is genuinely accidental, claims can still stall due to basics such as:
● Not informing the insurer or assistance partner within the required time
● Missing itemised bills, prescriptions, or clinical notes
● No proof of travel dates or passport entry details when requested
● Submitting only pharmacy slips without a doctor’s consultation record
International travel insurance is paperwork-driven. If you document it well, you reduce the chance of avoidable back-and-forth.
What to Do If You Are Bitten or Scratched in Bali
Your health comes first, always. But a few sensible steps can protect your recovery and keep your insurance file clean.
Medical Steps That Help You and Your Claim
Act fast, stay calm, and get proper care before worrying about bills.
● Clean the wound promptly and seek medical care, even if it seems minor
● Follow the doctor’s advice, including follow-ups if recommended
● Avoid self-medicating in place of a clinical assessment, because insurers often ask for a doctor’s report
Claim Notes and Documents to Collect
Keep these handy; they’ll save time and avoid follow-up questions later.
● Doctor’s notes that mention the nature of injury, treatment given, and advised next steps
● Prescriptions and pharmacy invoices
● Itemised hospital or clinic bills
● A brief written note of where and when it happened, while it is still fresh in your mind
Final Word
Animal bites in Bali are not rare, and they are not always dramatic, which is exactly why travellers underestimate them. Many travel policies can cover bite-related medical treatment when it is accidental and medically necessary, but the outcome depends on your policy terms and the quality of your documentation. If you buy cover thoughtfully, keep the assistance number handy, and respond sensibly if an incident happens, you give yourself the best chance of both good medical care and a smoother claim experience.
