3 Canadian zoo elephants arrive at California sanctuary after Bob Barker sought, paid for move

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Three former zoo elephants from Canada have arrived at their new home in a California sanctuary after former “Price is Right” host and animal activist Bob Barker sought and paid for the move.

The 89-year-old Barker was on hand late Sunday to welcome the pachyderms to the Performing Animal Welfare Society’s ARK 2000 compound in the hills near San Andreas, The Sacramento Bee (http://bit.ly/1a0Fp26 ) reported.

“It was more than emotional for me, for all of us,” Barker said. “I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. It’s hard to believe they are finally here.”

The African elephants — Iringa, Thika and Toka — had been living at the Toronto Zoo. The Toronto City Council agreed two years ago to send them to the sanctuary following lobbying efforts by Barker and others who don’t think elephants and other large animals belong at most zoos.

Barker paid close to $1 million to fund the road trip for the elephants that travelled to the sanctuary over nearly four days in special trailers.

The trio will join eight other elephants that roam more than 2,000 acres of land in Calaveras County. The sanctuary also accommodates tigers and other large animals that have previously been at zoos or in the circus, the Bee reported.

Ed Stewart, who co-founded the non-profit that maintains the sanctuary, said it will take time for the elephants to adjust to their new surroundings.

“Our job will be to give each elephant the best care and their own time and space in which to adjust,” he said.

Barker hosted “The Price Is Right” for 35 years and advised viewers each day to have their pets spayed and neutered.

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Information from: The Sacramento Bee, http://www.sacbee.com