Bob Barker has long been an active voice in the fight for animal rights, and he’s spent the past couple of years lobbying for three Canadian elephants to be moved to a new home at a sanctuary. Now, the animals have been moved, and it couldn’t have been done without his help.

Barker, 89, says he doesn’t believe that animals as large as elephants belong at a zoo, where they are confined to such small spaces. After finding out that African elephants Iringa, Thika and Toka were living at the Toronto Zoo, Barker began his quest for a new home for them and worked out an agreement with the Toronto City Council to get them moved. They agreed, but the former game show host would end up shelling out nearly $1 million of his own money to get it done. Perhaps a small price, considering what he accomplished.

“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 journey took four days using special transports, and now the elephants are free to wander around 2,000 acres of land in Calaveras County along with several other animals who were transferred from zoos or the circus.

Barker has said that he intends to help as many animals and charities as he can after a long and successful career on “The Price Is Right” left him with a cushioned retirement fund.

“I had a job that I loved… I was very well paid for it, and now I’m spending my money,” Barker said. “I intend to die broke.”

Image: Screenshot via KTXL