Barker comes to elephant's aid

EDMONTON, Alberta, March 23 (UPI) -- Former U.S. game show host Bob Barker says he will pay the City of Edmonton $100,000 if it allows an outside assessment of the Edmonton Valley Zoo.

Barker, 87, was the longtime host of "The Price is Right." He also is a well-known animal-rights activist.

Canada's Postmedia News said Barker wants Edmonton city officials to allow experts from Zoocheck Canada and Performing Animal Welfare Society to look closely at the living conditions of Lucy, the zoo's only elephant, who is 34 and ailing.

"It's crucial that Lucy's condition be accurately diagnosed before her health deteriorates further," Barker told the news agency. "It is indefensible that Lucy has been forced to live in misery for all these years. ... Obviously, we are interested in only one thing, Lucy's well-being. ... She is going to die there. She is dying slowly."

Postmedia quoted a city spokesman as saying Edmonton has declined Barker's offer because they already have experts looking out for Lucy.