Yahoo Lifestyle Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's to open a wildlife sanctuary?
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. Photo: Getty Images.
Nicole Kidman – who was close friends with Steve Irwin before he died in 2006 – is keen to follow in the Crocodile Hunter’s footsteps and pay tribute to his amazing work.
As part of their plan to become the ‘Irwins of America’, Nicole and Keith, both 48, aim to house many threatened species and wild animals on their 16-hectare property – which is home to horses, cows, raccoons, deer, pigs, rattlesnakes and skunks.
Friends say they love that Bindi and Bob were raised surrounded by nature, and want the same for their daughters, Sunday, seven, and Faith, five.
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‘It was Nicole’s idea to create the wildlife sanctuary for their girls,’ says friend Bobby Saucier, who manages local store Puckett’s Grocery.
‘She liked what the Irwins did for Bindi.'
A local friend of the singer adds: ‘Keith and Nicole want their girls to appreciate nature and animals. I think they’d love to live here full-time if they could.’
Keith and Nicole’s $3.5 million farm in Leiper’s Fork – which has a population of 650 – is 25km from their main US estate, a $4.9 million private mansion in Nashville.
Locals tell New Idea they often hear the Urban-Kidmans arrive via helicopter, and say they have become regular fixtures in the town.
‘When they come here, they’re treated just like any other normal family,’ Bobby says.
‘They love it because Keith can just put his baseball cap on and be treated just like any other country guy in these parts.’
Read the full story in this week's issue of New Idea, out now
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