BENTONVILLE -- A utility company has ended its legal wrangling with the owners of the Wild Wilderness Drive-Through Safari by paying the almost $1 million judgment in a verdict against the company.
A jury in October awarded the safari owners $916,745 for property taken in connection with a condemnation lawsuit involving Southwestern Electric Power Co. The company attempted to have the verdict overturned by requesting a new trial and described the judgment as excessive.
In November, Circuit Judge Brad Karren denied the utility company's motion and allowed the jury verdict to stand. Karren also ordered the utility company to pay $115,318.67 for the safari's attorney fees and costs.
Peter Main, spokesman for the utility company, confirmed Tuesday that the judgment had been paid.
"The jury made its determination, and the issue is now concluded," Main said.
The utility company condemned a 9-acre tract of the Gentry safari so it could place high-voltage lines across it. The company obtained 9 acres from the safari for the project.
The case didn't concern the taking of the land but involved the value of the land and impact and damage to the remaining property.
Sandy McMath, attorney for the Gentry safari, previously said $916,745 was the amount requested that the jury approved. The amount covers the value of the land taken, the assessed damage to the remaining property and the cost of building new fencing and veterinary structures to care for the animals, McMath said.
Safari Real Estate owns the property, which is managed by Leon Wilmoth. He did not not return a telephone call seeking comment.
It's the second time a jury has decided the case. The first jury awarded the safari owners $87,539 in the condemnation case. Karren presided over both trials.
The Arkansas Court of Appeals remanded the case for a retrial in March.
McMath previously said the project was a huge intrusion for his clients, who have full-time jobs elsewhere but devote their spare time to caring for the animals. There are more than 85 animal species kept and cared for at the safari, McMath said.
General News on 12/30/2015