TORONTO – Former game show host Bob Barker will apparently cover the full cost of transporting three elephants from the Toronto Zoo to California.
In a statement on its website, the PAWS organization says Barker will pay an unspecified amount to move Toka, Thika, and Iringa to their new home.
Toronto city council voted in late October to send the African elephants south of the border to a warmer facility with more open space.
Get daily National news
The elephants will be housed in a facility run by PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society) near Galt, California called ARK 2000.
It will provide them with a large terrain to roam, lakes to bathe in, and barns equipped with heated stalls and therapeutic Jacuzzis.
A team from the Toronto Zoo was scheduled to visit the sanctuary this weekend to check it out and plan details of the move.
- Osoyoos Band seeks return of sacred sites in discussions with B.C. government
- Record turnout expected for Penticton Peach Classic Triathlon, boosting local economy
- Mom and 1-month-old baby missing in northern B.C., not seen since July 9
- Hoekstra says Trump serious about tariff threat over wildfire smoke
“I want them to have the most efficient and humane transition to their new home,” Barker is quoted as saying on the PAWS website.
“I said this would not cost the city a penny and I want to assure them it won’t.”
The October vote by Toronto city council to move the elephants followed a campaign by animal rights activists, including Barker, who argued that Canada is too cold for the giant animals.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.