Photo courtesy: University of Arkansas athletics
By: Autumn Klein
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – Tusk V, the University of Arkansas’ mascot, passed away Sunday afternoon according to a press release from the UA athletics department. He was only four years old.
According to the release, Tusk V passed away from natural causes in his home outside of Dardanelle, Ark. The Russian boar was laid to rest at the Stokes Family Farm, the same farm where he was born April 19, 2018.
Tusk V was the son of former Razorback mascot, Tusk IV. He served as the official mascot from 2019-22. He was born in a litter of four and will be succeeded by his brother, Tusk VI.
Russian boars can live up to 15-20 years according to the Young People’s Trust For the Environment website. Although Tusk V’s time was short, he witnessed the Razorbacks make history.
Throughout Tusk V’s tenure, the Razorbacks had two of their most successful years in the history of the program. His last appearance as mascot was during one of these successes: the Razorback OT win over Kansas in the Liberty Bowl.
Arkansas is one of only seven schools in the SEC with a live mascot. Arkansas has used live mascots since as early as the 1960s, but the Tusk lineage began in 1997.
The athletic department has created a donation fund for those that would like to contribute to the live mascot program in honor of Tusk V. Donations can be given by clicking here, or by mail to Tusk Fund, c/o The Razorback Foundation, 1295 Razorback Road, Suite A, Fayetteville, AR 72701.