Bob Barker remembered as ‘strong voice for animals’ in Canada, says wildlife advocate

Television host Bob Barker charmed viewers on “The Price is Right,” however it’s his “strong voice for animals” that one Canadian wildlife advocate says will probably be irreplaceable.

Julie Woodyer, campaigns director at Zoocheck Canada, knew Barker for years as they collaborated on each profitable and failed efforts to free animals from captivity at Canada’s zoos.

She says Barker introduced a novel generosity that was unmatched by different celebrities, typically opening up his chequebook to assist the trigger and willingly making appearances at occasions to lift consciousness.

Barker died on Saturday from pure causes on the age of 99.

Woodyer says she first linked with the TV host and his associate Nancy Burnet as Zoocheck tried to free Lucy the elephant from the Edmonton Valley Zoo.

While the marketing campaign was unsuccessful, Barker reteamed with the group to maneuver three elephants from the Toronto Zoo to a sanctuary in California and likewise gave $50,000 to assist construct Manitoba’s first black bear cub rehabilitation centre.

“Lending his celebrity voice … really boosted those campaigns significantly and allowed us to have a broader audience to talk to and to explain why it’s wrong to keep elephants in Canada,” Woodyer stated in a cellphone interview.

“I’m not sure who, if anyone, could ever take that on and be the strong advocate that Mr. Barker was, especially on behalf of captive wildlife.”

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