BIOSECURITYNEW ZEALAND

OIA09-178

15 April 2010

Dear Jude Jones

Thank you for your email

of 16 March 2010, requesting further information relating to

Zion Wildlife Gardens, and in particular to the location of

the body of the tiger, Abu.

As I stated in my letter of 12

February 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (M

AF) cannot provide you with specific information relating t

o the location of Abu's body at the Zion Wildlife Gardens,

as this information is confidential to Zion Wildlife Garden

s.

You have asked if MAF is 100% certain that Abu is buried

within the grounds of Zion Wildlife Gardens. While MAF staff

were on site and observed the hole being dug, as well as th

e corpse of Abu (having been present during several stages o

f the autopsy), they did not actually see the body being pla

ced in the hole and covered up. However, MAF has confidence

that Abu was buried in that hole and remains there. MAF has

been presented with no credible evidence to suggest otherwis

e.

In the event that yourself, or any other party, were able

to present reliable evidence that some other outcome ensued

, MAF would naturally give the evidence full consideration.

I hope this response addresses any concerns you may have had.

Tim KnoxDirector - Border Standards