Barker Pledges $300K for LA Zoo Elephant - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 12-13-2006, 01:47 AM

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20061213/D8LVNONO2.html

Barker Pledges $300K for LA Zoo Elephant

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Game show host Bob Barker will pledge $300,000 toward housing an elephant from the Los Angeles Zoo in an animal sanctuary, his publicist said Tuesday.

The pledge would match donations in support of sending Ruby, a 45-year-old African elephant, to a sanctuary in San Andreas in Northern California, publicist Henri Bollinger said.

Ruby is currently housed at the zoo, but animal rights advocates have raised concerns about the zoo's treatment of elephants, including a 48-year-old Asian pachyderm named Gita who died in June. Another elephant, Tara, died in 2004.

"Bob has been very concerned about the condition of elephants living in zoos, and particularly at the L.A. Zoo," Bollinger said. "He wants to do whatever he can to change that situation and get elephants placed in sanctuaries."

Zoo officials have maintained that they never mistreated the elephants. Zoo spokesman Jason Jacobs said officials were not aware of any offer from Barker and that Ruby's "ultimate destination is not a financial decision."

Barker, 83, a noted animal rights activist and the retiring host of "The Price Is Right," pleaded with the City Council in February to close the zoo's elephant exhibit, claiming the animals were miserable and that some of them were ill.

Earlier this year, the City Council approved a $39 million, 3.5-acre exhibit to house Ruby and a 21-year-old Asian male elephant named Billy.

A zoo investigation found that Gita's keepers did not begin emergency procedures for more than eight hours after the elephant was first observed sitting with her back legs tucked under her, a general sign of distress for the creatures.

"We are very grateful that Mr. Barker, a great champion for animals, has stepped forward to help Ruby," Elliot Katz, president of the group In Defense of Animals, said in a statement. "It's crucial that Ruby be sent to a sanctuary now."

80sTrivia · 12-13-2006, 06:23 AM

WTG, Mr. Barker...

George Yurich · 12-13-2006, 07:56 AM

It is good that Barker offered $300 Thousand Dollars to move that elephant. But it seems like Barker being an animal rights activist treats animals better then he treats the models on The Price Is Right game show. Barker fired a model just for being a little overweight.

mriggles · 12-13-2006, 03:34 PM

The biggest animal lover out there!!! WAY TO GO BOB

Dynomite · 12-13-2006, 04:47 PM

How ironic is that? On his 83rd birthday, Bob Barker donates $300K for Los Angeles Zoo elephant. Talk about proper acknowlegment as he heads toward his retirement as the 35 year host of The Price is Right.

12-13-2006, 01:47 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Barker Pledges $300K for LA Zoo Elephant http://apnews.excite.com/article/20061213/D8LVNONO2.html Barker Pledges $300K for LA Zoo Elephant LOS ANGELES (AP) - Game show host Bob Barker will pledge $300,000 toward housing an elephant from the Los Angeles Zoo in an animal sanctuary, his publicist said Tuesday. The pledge would match donations in support of sending Ruby, a 45-year-old African elephant, to a sanctuary in San Andreas in Northern California, publicist Henri Bollinger said. Ruby is currently housed at the zoo, but animal rights advocates have raised concerns about the zoo's treatment of elephants, including a 48-year-old Asian pachyderm named Gita who died in June. Another elephant, Tara, died in 2004. "Bob has been very concerned about the condition of elephants living in zoos, and particularly at the L.A. Zoo," Bollinger said. "He wants to do whatever he can to change that situation and get elephants placed in sanctuaries." Zoo officials have maintained that they never mistreated the elephants. Zoo spokesman Jason Jacobs said officials were not aware of any offer from Barker and that Ruby's "ultimate destination is not a financial decision." Barker, 83, a noted animal rights activist and the retiring host of "The Price Is Right," pleaded with the City Council in February to close the zoo's elephant exhibit, claiming the animals were miserable and that some of them were ill. Earlier this year, the City Council approved a $39 million, 3.5-acre exhibit to house Ruby and a 21-year-old Asian male elephant named Billy. A zoo investigation found that Gita's keepers did not begin emergency procedures for more than eight hours after the elephant was first observed sitting with her back legs tucked under her, a general sign of distress for the creatures. "We are very grateful that Mr. Barker, a great champion for animals, has stepped forward to help Ruby," Elliot Katz, president of the group In Defense of Animals, said in a statement. "It's crucial that Ruby be sent to a sanctuary now."

12-13-2006, 06:23 AM	#2
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	WTG, Mr. Barker...
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12-13-2006, 07:56 AM	#3
George Yurich Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 25, 2006 Location: USA Posts: 122	It is good that Barker offered $300 Thousand Dollars to move that elephant. But it seems like Barker being an animal rights activist treats animals better then he treats the models on The Price Is Right game show. Barker fired a model just for being a little overweight.

12-13-2006, 03:34 PM	#4
mriggles Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2005 Location: JERSEY Posts: 3,627	The biggest animal lover out there!!! WAY TO GO BOB

12-13-2006, 04:47 PM	#5
Dynomite Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 10, 2006 Location: near Dayton, Ohio Posts: 579	How ironic is that? On his 83rd birthday, Bob Barker donates $300K for Los Angeles Zoo elephant. Talk about proper acknowlegment as he heads toward his retirement as the 35 year host of The Price is Right.