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FINDING REFUGE IN ARKANSAS |
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Watching a herd of elephants saunter
across the African plains is a stirring sight. However, it is one best
appreciated from afar. You do not want to anger one of the behemoths and get
smashed. So when two of the thick-skinned
beasts approached from across a vast field I felt a slight trepidation. Not that they were quickly
approaching. No unless an elephant is protecting the herd or coerced it won't
run...it saunters. And that's what these two magnificent animals did
-sauntered up to me. |
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Two of Riddle's elephants taking a stroll... |
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They were hopeful for a treat. Sadly
I was empty handed, all I had to offer were a couple of gentle pats on their
sandpaper-like trunks. I guess that's why one decided to
relieve itself of an ocean of urine! Afterwards they patiently posed for
a photo while Scott Riddle discussed elephant behavior and the mission of the
Riddle Elephant Sanctuary in Greenbrier Arkansas, United States. Riddle's
Sanctuary provides a safe, permanent place for elephants
regardless of their species, gender, physical or psychological condition,
size, or temperament. Scott and Heidi Riddle established
the sanctuary in 1990, on 330 acres in Arkansas,
in the south central United States. It is about 35 north of Little Rock. The
number of elephants has steadily grown to its present number of twelve (12)
African and Asian elephants of both genders. The two that greeted me were two
of the Asians, Peggy and Betty Boop. |
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...up to me! |
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Both
are retired circus elephants. Peggy, the eldest at 50 years of age is the taller
of the two and matriarch as it were. Betty Boop is
a spry 36 but well suited as Peggy's friend. Years of circus training has
them quite docile though Scott quickly reminds me they are still wild animals
that have merely been domesticated. If provoked either could become very
destructive. That
was enough for me as I exited the massive enclosure that seemed to go on
forever. Actually there was a fence just beyond the trees about 150 yards
away. Because
of their calm dispositions those were only two I was allowed to interact
with. A huge hulking African version named Willie that seemed nearly twice as
big as the others. He came from a small zoo where he lived in isolation for
many years, so he was still learning to socialize with the other elephants...
at a distance. Riddle
builds all the enclosures himself with the aid of several interns and
volunteers from nearby colleges. He got the materials from a bridge company
that provides plenty of retired trestles. The trestles are perfect for
containing the beasts. Old railway ties are also incorporated. Riddle's
was the first of two stops to wild animal rescue facilities in Arkansas. The
second is Turpentine Creek in Eureka Springs about 140 miles northwest of
Riddles. |
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Less predictable elephants get a barrier |
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Arriving
through Little Rock, you'll have a chance to check into the marvelously
renovated Capital Hotel downtown.
Owned by Warren Stephens of Stephens Financial Services a bock away all
rooms offer flat-screen televisions. Bed linens are by Chaz
Stevens, bath linens by Frette and bath amenities
by Moulton Brown. It is a most
comfortable way to begin an adventure. Arkansas
calls itself "the Natural State" mainly because of the unspoiled land and
vast natural resources. Lake Hamilton, the huge man-made lake is where
several Bassmaster tournament records have been
set. It is not out of the ordinary to catch a 50-pound bass! It is also where the Ivory-billed
woodpecker - once thought to be extinct - was spotted by expert
birdwatchers. So it shouldn't be
a surprise to find an animal refuge. Ideal
weather and inexpensive land costs made Arkansas choice for both Riddles and
Turpentine Creek. It is also
home to the
Holla Bend, Big Lake, Wapanocca,
Felsenthal and White River national wildlife refuges.
After a
filling dinner of shrimp and crawfish cakes, pasta Orleans (andouille sausage, crawfish, and shrimp tossed with
pasta) and dessert of white chocolate bread pudding swimming in whiskey
sauce, a restful sleep the next day's 3-hour drive will be a breeze. |
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One of the lions is blind |
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That
drive will take you through the Boston Mountains section of the Ozarks
Mountain country - the highest and most rugged portion of
the Ozarks. Summits can reach elevations of just over 2,560 feet with valleys
500 to 1,550 feet deep. Arriving in Eureka Springs, will take you back in time to the
Victorian age. Of note are two hotels: The Crescent Hotel and Spa and the
Basin Park Hotel, both owned Marty and Elise Roenigk.
The Roenigk's are the U.S. largest dealers of
antique mechanical musical instruments. I chose the Crescent Hotel because for comfort and the chance to
enjoy the ghost stories related to the hotel. The king Balcony room shared a marvelous veranda the
spanned the length of the hotel. Then it was off to Turpentine Creek. Note there is a related gift
shop and information center in town on Spring Street. There you can get
detailed directions to the refuge. |
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A gorgeous tiger frolicking! |
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Once at the refuge, Turpentine president Tanya Smith and a baby leopard
greeted me. The leopard was no more than two months old;
full of play and not a threat as it ran around discovering the immediate
area. But even in play you could see it developing it’s prowling and hunting
skills. [Note: I was not allowed to pet the cub - that was reserved only
for Turpentine staff.] Beyond
the front door and inside the compound were dozens of spacious enclosures
that allowed the cats to roam around freely. The cats included several lions
and tigers, a few cougars, bobcats, a serval and a
black bear. |
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Jackson family, originally from Texas, have cared for big cats since 1978
when the two lions, Bum and Shelia. As the cats grew, the family relocated to
Eureka Springs when they first started the refuge. By chance a black market
trader of exotic cats - on the run from Texas law authorities dropped
off her illegal collection of nearly forty big cats she kept in two trailers.
That was
essentially the beginning of Turpentine Creek as a rescue refuge. Now the
cats come from all over the country, generally with the same story. A private owner buys the cub and
thinks they have a great pet. But soon the cat outgrows the home and the
owners need to get rid of the cat. A couple
of the cats limped as they walked and Hilda explained some owners declawed
the cats, which for big cats is bad, leaving the cats crippled. Still the
beautiful felines struggle through to survive. |
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As wonderful as they look, lions are not pets. |
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Another
set of cats was two male lions that adopted each other. One is blind and the
other acts as its eyes. You could stand there forever watching them interact.
Like
Riddle's, Turpentine Creek offers tons of educational opportunities for
families, schools and visitors. They also offer unique lodging at reasonable
rates. Aside from allowing
recreational vehicle parking, Turpentine has several safari-like beddings.
One is a unique tree-house bungalow built on stilts, is
about 15' from the ground, and is reached via a stairway up to the wraparound
deck. It is secluded in a grove of trees, but a view of cats is readily
available from the back and one side of the deck; a view of the scenery is
available from the front and other side. It's rather small but appeals to families with children. The most comfortable lodging are the Zulu Safari Guest Lodge which
are basically five luxury tents - just like the ones offered on a first
class tented African safari. Each tent is decorated differently with African
themes. Perhaps the most unique thing about Turpentine Creek is the close
proximity visitors are to the cats. You are less than five feet away! Those
most are not aggressive, tours are heavily supervised so visitors don't
attempt to touch or feed the cats. Both Riddles and Turpentine Creek are funded through admissions and
the special educational programs. Wal-Mart, in nearby Bentonville has been
generous supplying meat for the cats. Tyson Chicken, also in Bentonville, has
also joined in by supplying chicken meat. Several companies aid Riddles in
purchasing hay and grasses for the elephants. It is a unique opportunity to visit two wild animal refuges within
such close proximity in such a nature friendly environment. After taking time to fish the White
River near Beaver Damn, I headed back to Little Rock for the flight home even
more connected to nature and the wild kingdom. |
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