Beloved feral goat ‘Crisco’ dies at Table Rock Lake after heat-related distress
OMAHA, Ark. — The Eureka Springs Safari Park released a statement regarding the death of a well-known 15-year-old feral goat who passed away after a possible heat-related distress over the weekend.
According to a press release from the park, Crisco, who called Backbone Bluff his home, was recovered after an incident near Table Rock Lake on Saturday, July 25.
Crisco was said to have been a familiar sight to thousands over the years at Backbone Bluff, with people stopping to take photos of him, give him treats and make memories while visiting the Ozarks.
Photo courtesy of Janelle McCandless.
Officials say that due to the summer heat, visitors saw Crisco stumbling and panting before losing his footing and falling into the lake on Saturday.
The White River Dive Company of Branson and the Sea Tow of Hollister made recovery efforts for the goat on Sunday morning, the release said.
Using GPS technology, Jim Pulley of Sea Tow found Crisco around 40 feet from where he entered the water. Louis Chapman of the White River Dive Company later recovered Crisco from approximately 22 feet of water, with him being recovered around 12:04 p.m., officials report.Eureka Springs Safari Park states that they were given Crisco, as they await cremation.
“We are incredibly grateful to White River Dive Company and Sea Tow for donating their time, expertise and compassion to help bring Crisco to rest,” said Laura Ann Sanders, owner of Eureka Springs Safari Park. “Their kindness has meant more to us than words can express.”
Plans for Crisco’s celebration of life will be announced at a later time, the park said.
