Watch Magic in the Water Water is a powerful force of nature that has the ability to create beauty and inspire wonder. In its many forms, water can captivate our senses and provide a sense of tranquility and awe. One of the most enchanting ways to experience the magic of water is by observing it in its natural environment, such as a flowing river, a peaceful lake, or a majestic waterfall. When we take the time to watch water in its various states, we can witness its transformative power and its profound impact on the world around us. Whether it is the gentle rhythm of waves crashing on the shore or the fierce rush of a roaring waterfall, water holds a certain allure that is hard to resist. The enchantment of water is not just limited to its physical presence but also extends to the life it sustains.
Tusk V Next In Line Of Live Razorback Mascots
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas, home to one of the nation’s longest tenured and most recognizable live mascot programs, is celebrating the recent birth of Tusk V, the next in the line of Arkansas Razorback mascots.
Born Saturday, April 19 at the Stokes Family Farm in Dardanelle, Arkansas, Tusk V is the son of the current Arkansas Razorbacks’ live mascot, Tusk IV, a Russian Boar which closely resembles the type of “wild band of razorback hogs,” first described by then Arkansas head football coach Hugo Bezdek in 1909. The following year, in 1910, University of Arkansas students voted to officially adopt the new nickname changing the mascot from the Cardinals to the Razorbacks.
Tusk V will take over official mascot duties in time for the 2019 Razorback Football season, after his father, Tusk IV, is scheduled to retire.
“It is hard to imagine another collegiate live mascot program that is more ingrained in the fabric of its university and its state than Tusk is at this university and within Arkansas,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek said. “The Razorbacks proudly represent Arkansans throughout the state and the Tusk program is an integral part of carrying on that storied tradition. We are grateful to Keith and Julie Stokes and their entire family for their longtime care of our live mascots and for the countless hours they spend in supporting our teams, coaches and student-athletes. We look forward to Tusk IV’s final year and to 2019, when Tusk V will carry on this legacy for generations of Razorback fans to come.”
Tusk IV and V live on the Stokes Family Farm near Dardanelle, Arkansas. The work of caring for Tusk IV and V is shared between Keith and his wife Julie, their daughter Abbey, their son Chip and his wife Lori, and their four-year-old son (Keith and Julie’s grandson), Colt.
Tusk IV makes a two-hour trek up to Northwest Arkansas for every Razorback football game as well as select other Razorback athletics events throughout the year. Beloved by Razorback and opposing team fans of all ages, Tusk is always the center of attention when he makes an appearance at games or other special events. Through the years, he has traveled the state and throughout the region to appear at various locations including at bowl games, Razorback Clubs and even the Arkansas State Capitol.
Arkansas’ first live mascot, Tusk I was selected in 1997 and served as the Razorback mascot for eight years.
After spending four football seasons at the Little Rock Zoo, Tusk I was moved to the Tyson Foods Farm in Springdale in 2001. In 2002, Tusk I became the father to Tusk II. Tusk I passed away in 2004 and his son, Tusk II, was moved from the Tyson Farm to the Stokes Family Farm and served as the live mascot from 2005 until 2010.
Tusk III was the brother of Tusk II and both were second-generation Russian boars. Tusk III served for only one football season in 2010. Tusk IV is the son of Tusk II and took over as the official live mascot during the 2011 football season. He recently completed his seventh season.
In 2008, Razorback Athletics created the Tusk Fund to help provide financial assistance for the maintenance and upkeep of the live mascot program. Donations to the fund provide Tusk with improvements to his facilities and most of all, create a legacy program for guaranteeing the longevity of the Razorback live mascot program. Fans interested in supporting the Tusk Fund, can do so by clicking here.
The tradition of a live mascot predates the Tusk lineage, dating back to the 1960s with a series of hogs that have proudly represented Arkansas.
Tusk V, Razorback mascot, dies at age of 4
Tusk V is shown during an Arkansas football game against Alabama on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville.
FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas’ mascot, Tusk V, died Sunday at his habitat in Dardanelle, according to a press release Tuesday from the UA athletics department.
The death was due to natural causes, according to the release. The Russian boar was born in April 2018 and had been in service since 2019 following the retirement of Tusk IV.
Tusk IV, who died in 2020 at the age of 9, bred Tusk V and Tusk VI, who will become the school’s next live mascot.
Chip Stokes, one of the caretakers at the Tusk habitat, said at the time of Tusk IV’s death that the life expectancies for the animals are typically 10-12 years.
The Tusk mascot lineage at Arkansas dates to 1997 when the Razorbacks began having live mascots at football games after a nearly 20-year hiatus. The UA set up a lineage funding program in 2008, and the animals are raised at the Stokes Family Farm in Dardanelle, about 120 miles from Fayetteville.
The Tusk mascots make appearances at Arkansas sporting events, including all home football games, as well as other Razorback-related events throughout the state.
In the 1960s and '70s a number of live mascots were used by the university. In 1977, a mascot named Big Red III escaped an exhibit near Eureka Springs and was shot by a farmer. The following year another live mascot, Ragnar, died in the small South Arkansas community of Leola after a spree in which he killed a coyote, a domestic pig and seven rattlesnakes, according to university records.
CORRECTION: Tusk IV died in 2020. The article originally had the incorrect year.
Tusk: the Razorback live mascot
The wild hogs known as razorbacks native to the Arkansas wilderness bear no resemblance to the typical barnyard pig of today. The untamed razorback hog was a lean, feral animal that was ill-tempered. It fought and defeated anything that crossed its path, man or beast. Turn of the 20th century outdoor magazines lauded the razorback as “the most intelligent of all the hogs and is likewise the most courageous. . . . He has a clear, farseeing eye.”
This was the mighty animal that inspired Hugo Bezdek to proclaim his team had fought “like a wild band of razorback hogs” against LSU in 1909. To read more on the Bezdek legend, click here.
Except for rare sightings in the Australian Outback, the Razorback only exists today in the form of Arkansas’ players and fans. A Russian boar, which closely resembles the wild hog of Bezdek’s day, currently serves as the official live mascot. He resides near campus, and attends all Arkansas home football games.
Tusk IV, a Russian boar, which closely resembles the wild hog of Hugo Bezdek’s day, currently serves as the official live mascot. Tusk IV is cared for by the Stokes family of Dardanelle, Ark., and travels to home games and special events for the Razorbacks. Tusk IV is supported by the legacy program known as the Tusk Fund, and fans can participate by sending their support in care of the Razorback Foundation, Inc. Tusk IV enters his first full season in 2011 after debuting at the 2011 Allstate Sugar Bowl. He follows Tusk III, who is retired and still living on the Stokes’ farm.
There are only a handful of universities which maintain a live mascot program, and the outpouring of support for the current Tusk from the Razorback fan base is the primary reason why the University of Arkansas continues the tradition.
The tradition of a live mascot prior to Tusk dates back to the 1960s with a series of hogs that have proudly represented Arkansas. In addition to appearances at games, they have gained a reputation for fierce behavior.
Big Red III escaped from an exhibit near Eureka Springs in the summer of 1977 and ravaged the countryside before being gunned down by an irate farmer. Another live mascot, Ragnar, was a wild hog captured in south Arkansas by Leola farmer Bill Robinson. Before Ragnar’s spree was done, the mighty animal had killed a coyote, a 450-pound domestic pig and seven rattlesnakes. Ragnar died in 1978 of unknown causes.
The enchantment of water is not just limited to its physical presence but also extends to the life it sustains. From the vibrant colors of coral reefs to the graceful movement of aquatic creatures, there is a whole other world that exists beneath the water's surface. Watching the underwater world come to life is like witnessing a hidden treasure unfold before our very eyes.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, water also has the power to heal and rejuvenate. Many people find solace in being near water, whether it is the soothing sound of raindrops on a windowpane or the sensation of swimming in a calm lake. Its ability to create a sense of peace and tranquility makes water a natural source of relaxation and meditation. Moreover, water is a symbol of life itself. It sustains all living beings and is essential for their survival. Without water, life as we know it would cease to exist. By observing the beauty and power of water, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the vital role it plays in our world. In conclusion, watching magic in the water allows us to experience the wonders and mysteries of this sublime element. Through its transformative nature, its ability to sustain life, and its undeniable beauty, water has the power to mesmerize and inspire. So next time you gaze into a body of water, take a moment to appreciate the magic that lies within..
Reviews for "Embracing the Flow: Mastering the Art of Water Magic"
1. Samantha - 2/5 stars
"Watch Magic in the Water" was a major disappointment for me. The story seemed promising at first, but quickly lost its charm. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with any of them. The acting fell flat and the dialogue felt forced. The special effects were also quite outdated, which added to the overall disappointment. I was hoping for a magical and captivating experience, but unfortunately, "Watch Magic in the Water" failed to deliver.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars
I regret wasting my time watching "Watch Magic in the Water". The plot was predictable and lacked any originality. The family dynamics were portrayed in a cliché manner, leaving no room for surprise or engagement. The pacing was slow and the movie failed to keep my attention. The attempts at humor fell flat and the attempts at sentimentality felt forced. Overall, it was a forgettable and underwhelming film that I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
3. Jennifer - 2/5 stars
I had high hopes for "Watch Magic in the Water" but it fell short of my expectations. The storyline was unremarkable and failed to keep my interest throughout the movie. The acting seemed mediocre, with some performances feeling forced and unnatural. The supposed "magic" in the water turned out to be quite underwhelming, leaving me disappointed. The film also lacked any compelling character development, making it difficult to root for or care about any of the characters. Overall, it was a lackluster film that failed to capture the magic it promised.