Beatrice Lang
The Gentry Wilderness Drive-Thru Zoo in NW Arkansas faced the threat of condemnation by the American Electric Power Company (AEP) in 2013. AEP's plan to build a high-voltage power line through a 9-acre strip of the zoo raised concerns about the displacement of animals and the impact on the carefully curated zoological sanctuary. The situation prompted a petition urging AEP to relocate their power line placement. In a separate but similar case, the Gentry animal park won a substantial financial settlement in a lawsuit against Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) over the condemnation of a 9-acre section of the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari for a power line project. This case highlighted the potential harm to the park's habitat and the need for fair consideration in infrastructure projects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the zoo | Gentry Wilderness Drive-Thru Zoo |
| Location | NW Arkansas |
| Electric company involved | Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) |
| Impact | Shut down 1/4th of the safari drive and displaced animals |
| Outcome | SWEPCO condemned a 9-acre strip of the zoo to build a high-voltage power line |
| Compensation | The zoo was awarded $916,745 in damages |
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What You'll Learn
Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) condemned Gentry Zoo land for a power line
The Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) condemned a 9-acre strip of the Gentry Zoo, also known as the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari, to build a high-voltage power line. The power company originally offered the Wilmoth family, who have owned the zoo since the 1960s, a settlement of $37,000 for the 9 acres taken for the project. However, the family argued that the Safari Park had been developed and planned over the past 50 years as a wildlife refuge, and that the construction had upset that balance.
In the first trial, a jury awarded the owners of the park $87,539 in damages. However, the case was remanded to the lower court for retrial by the Arkansas Court of Appeals in March 2015. In the second trial, a jury awarded the park’s owners $916,745, an amount their lawyer said indicated that the jury had been convinced by the argument that the habitat of the park’s collection of animals—some of them critically endangered—had been harmed by the construction.
SWEPCO's history in North Arkansas may have also influenced the outcome of the case. According to attorney McMath, SWEPCO had a history of getting its way in the region, but thanks to grassroots opposition by landowners, the company was forced to withdraw its proposal for the Shipe Road-Kings River project in December 2014. McMath believes that SWEPCO's days of getting its way without question may be over, and that the company needs to be more considerate of the impact of its projects on local communities.
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SWEPCO offered $37,000 settlement for 9 acres
The Gentry Wilderness Drive-Thru Zoo in Northwest Arkansas is a beloved family attraction, offering beautiful drives and a wide variety of animals visible up close. However, in 2015, the zoo faced a crisis when Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) initiated a land condemnation process to acquire a 9-acre strip of the zoo for the construction of a high-voltage power line. This move threatened to displace the animals and disrupt the carefully curated ecosystem within the zoo.
SWEPCO, a power company with a history of acquiring land through eminent domain in North Arkansas, initially offered the Wilmoth family, owners of the zoo, a settlement of $37,000 for the 9 acres needed for their project. The family, however, felt that this offer did not adequately compensate for the damage the power line construction would cause to their property and the habitat of their animals. They argued that the zoo was not just a farm or pasture but a carefully nurtured zoological sanctuary for 85 species, some of them critically endangered.
The Wilmoth family decided to take the matter to court, and the case was tried twice. In the first trial, the jury awarded the family $87,539 in damages. However, the Arkansas Court of Appeals ordered a retrial, and in the second trial, the jury awarded the family a significantly higher amount of $916,745. This substantial increase in compensation indicated that the jury recognised the argument that the construction and power line had harmed the habitat and value of the property as a whole.
The case highlights the importance of considering the impact of large infrastructure projects on local communities and the environment. While such projects are sometimes necessary, as acknowledged by the family's lawyer, McMath, it is crucial that they are carried out fairly and with careful consideration for the affected parties. This outcome sends a strong message to SWEPCO and other companies that they cannot disregard the rights and well-being of landowners and must engage in more thoughtful and equitable practices when pursuing their projects.
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SWEPCO lost the case and paid $916,745 in damages
SWEPCO, or the Southwestern Electric Power Company, lost a case against the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari in Gentry, Arkansas, and had to pay $916,745 in damages. The case concerned the condemnation of a 9-acre strip of the safari for the construction of a high-voltage power line. The first time the case was tried, the jury awarded the owners of the park $87,539 in damages. However, the case was remanded for a second trial, which decided that the park owners were owed a much larger sum.
The lawyer for the park owners argued that the construction of the power line had harmed the habitat set aside for the park's collection of animals, some of which were critically endangered. This argument appeared to sway the jury, who awarded the owners a significant amount in damages. The spokesman for the family that owned the park, Josh Wilmoth, declined to comment directly on the verdict, citing ongoing legal action. However, he provided some background on the park, stating that his grandfather had started collecting animals in the 1960s when his wife bought him buffalo and elk as a gift.
The power line project had faced opposition from landowners who feared it would ruin the Ozark views. This grass-roots opposition led to SWEPCO withdrawing its proposal for the project from consideration by the Arkansas Public Service Commission in December 2014. Despite this setback, SWEPCO originally offered the Wilmoth family a settlement of only $37,000 for the 9 acres taken for the project. At the second trial, witnesses called by the Wilmoth family, including a veterinarian who had overseen the animals in the park for several years, argued that the construction had disrupted the carefully planned and developed wildlife refuge.
The case against SWEPCO was not an isolated incident, as the company had faced criticism for its handling of other projects. For example, the company had to withdraw its proposal for the Shipe Road-Kings River project due to public opposition. Additionally, SWEPCO has been accused of not giving enough thought to the impact of its projects on the surrounding areas. This case against SWEPCO is significant as it sends a message to the company that it cannot ignore the concerns of landowners and must consider the potential damage its projects can cause.
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SWEPCO's history of getting its way in North Arkansas
SWEPCO, or Southwestern Electric Power Co., has a history of getting its way in North Arkansas. For years, the power company had successfully pushed through projects in the region, often at the expense of local communities and the environment.
One notable example is the case of the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari in Gentry, Arkansas. In 2015, SWEPCO condemned a 9-acre strip of land from the safari park to build a high-voltage power line. The construction of the power line, which included 150-foot-high pylons, disrupted the carefully planned habitat of the park's animals, some of which were critically endangered. The impact of the power line on the park was significant, reducing the value of the property as a whole.
The Wilmoth family, who had owned the park since the 1960s, initially received a settlement offer of only $37,000 for the 9 acres taken by SWEPCO. However, the family took the case to court, arguing that the power line had caused extensive damage to the park. In the first trial, a jury awarded the family $87,539 in damages. The case was then remanded for a retrial, and in the second trial, the jury awarded the family $916,745, recognizing the harm caused to the park.
Despite this setback, SWEPCO has a history of pushing through projects in North Arkansas with little regard for the local communities or the environment. In 2014, the company proposed the Shipe Road-Kings River project, which faced grass-roots opposition from landowners who feared it would ruin the Ozark views. In response to this opposition, SWEPCO withdrew its proposal from consideration by the Arkansas Public Service Commission.
While the outcome of the Safari Park case and the withdrawal of the Shipe Road-Kings River project suggest that SWEPCO may no longer be able to operate without scrutiny in North Arkansas, the company's history in the region indicates a pattern of prioritizing its projects over the best interests of local communities and the environment.
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AEP power lines may displace animals at Gentry Zoo
The Gentry Zoo in Arkansas is facing a potential threat to its existence due to the planned installation of power lines by the American Electric Power (AEP) company. The zoo, officially known as the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari, is a beloved attraction for families in the region, offering a unique drive-through experience with a variety of animals visible up close. However, the proposed power line project may displace animals and disrupt the carefully curated habitat that the zoo has cultivated over the years.
The conflict between the zoo and AEP arose when AEP condemned a 9-acre strip of land within the zoo for the construction of a high-voltage power line. This action was met with opposition from the zoo and sparked a legal battle. The zoo's owners, the Wilmoth family, argued that the Safari Park was more than just a farm or pasture; it was a meticulously designed zoological sanctuary for 85 species of wild animals, some of which were critically endangered. They emphasized the decades of effort that had gone into creating and maintaining this refuge.
The case went to trial, and the jury awarded the zoo's owners significant damages. In the first trial, the zoo received $87,539 in damages. However, the case was remanded for a retrial, and in the second trial, the jury awarded the zoo's owners almost $1 million ($916,745), recognizing the harm caused to the habitat and the overall value of the property. Despite this legal victory, the threat of displacement still looms over the zoo and its animals.
The power line project has raised concerns about the impact on the zoo's fragile sanctuary habitat. The construction process and the presence of the power lines themselves could disrupt the carefully assigned areas for each species within the park. The tall pylons and transmission lines, with a right-of-way of 150 feet, would intrude on the zoo's carefully nurtured environment. This intrusion could lead to the displacement of animals and disrupt the balance of the wildlife refuge that the zoo has worked tirelessly to establish and maintain.
The situation highlights the complex interplay between infrastructure development and environmental conservation. While the power company may have legitimate needs for land acquisition, it is crucial to carefully consider the potential consequences for sensitive habitats and take steps to minimize any negative impact on the zoo and its inhabitants. The case of the Gentry Zoo underscores the importance of fair and thoughtful land condemnation processes that take into account the unique characteristics and needs of the affected areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Southwestern Electric Power Co., or SWEPCO, bought a 9-acre strip of the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari in Gentry.
SWEPCO bought the land to build a high-voltage power line.
SWEPCO originally offered the Wilmoth family, who owned the zoo, a settlement of $37,000 for the 9 acres. However, after two trials, the zoo was awarded $916,745 in damages.
The sale was met with opposition from the public, with a petition created to prevent the condemnation of the zoo.
