Not Many Know About This Exotic Animal Sanctuary Right Here In Arkansas

Where do elephants go when the circus will never be back in town? Arkansans may be well familiar with Turpentine Creek Refuge but there's another place for exotic animals to relax and roam. Some elephants retire at Riddle's Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary in the tiny town of Quitman. Join us as we take a small tour of these larger than life creatures.

About 30 miles north of Conway resides Riddle's Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Established since 1990, this is the only internationally recognized sanctuary that accepts any elephant regardless of species, gender, or disposition.

Riddle's can house up to 12 elephants. The current residents are two Asian and two African elephants.

The elephants have retired to 330 acres at the sanctuary. Elephants Peggy and Amy were both circus performers. Amy has her own book, "The Cowboy and His Elephant" by Malcolm MacPherson.

The sanctuary can be visited on the first Saturday of each month.

Their open from 11 AM - 3 PM. And it's only $5 per person.

Or you can book the Elephant Experience Weekend.

Enthusiasts will have the chance to feed, bathe, and learn about elephant care over the weekend. You may also get the chance to trim giant toenails or take a sunny stroll with them.

Riddle's is the only sanctuary to host an annual International School for Elephant Management.

Professionals and anyone interested in working with elephants can attend the lecture series. Learn everything 'phant from care and management, to nutrition and reproduction.

Riddle's also contributes a significant amount of elephant research.

Riddle's has teamed up with science students at Hendrix College to research the creatures by taking blood samples to better understand elephant diseases. An elephant repellent is also being developed to protect the animals in areas of the world that have human/elephant conflicts.

There are quite a few ways to help the sanctuary prosper.

Elephant lovers can "adopt" one of the residents and other types of donations such as barn cleaning tools to excess garden veggies are gladly accepted. Residents of Faulkner County have been encouraged to donate leftover Halloween pumpkins and hay bales to the sanctuary, too.

Riddle's Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary is a fantastic way to see these magnificent creatures close to home.

Plan your day trip to visit the elephants at 233 Pumpkin Center Circle, Quitman.

Have you had the Arkansas elephant experience yet? Where's your favorite place to see animals (wild or native) in the state? Share with us!

Quitman isn't the only small town that deserves a second look.