Three African elephants named Iringa, Thik and Toka arrived to their new California sanctuary home after former "Price is Right" host Bob Barker paid for their move from the Toronto Zoo, The Sacramento Bee reported.
After the Toronto City Council agreed to move the elephants two years ago due to the lobbying efforts by Barker, an animal activist who doesn't think elephants or other large animals should be held in zoos. Barker paid $1 million to fund the transfer.
The trip took four days and required special trailers to move the elephants safely, as well as, veterinarians and handlers, The Bee reported. The elephants will join eight others that roam a total area of 2,000 acres in Calaveras County, California. The sanctuary also has tigers and other large animals that have lived in zoos.
Ed Stewart, who is the co-founder of the sanctuary, said it will take time for the elephants to fully adjust to their new home.
"Our job will be to give each elephant the best care and their own time and space in which to adjust," Stewart told The Bee.
The former host, who was at the sanctuary when the elephants arrived, has been morally and financially behind numerous animal issues, and said this was a triple win for him, stating it "was a real battle" and one of his biggest successes, according to The Bee.
"It was more than emotional for me, for all of us," Barker told The Bee. "I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. It's hard to believe they are finally here."
The ARK 2000 compound where the elephants will be staying is part of the nonprofit organization PAWS, which is dedicated to the protection of performing animals, and captive wildlife, providing the best standards of care.
