Beginning in 2016, as we were making arrangements for the first phases of the female Asian habitat – preparing for the arrival of Maia and Guida – and making the initial land payments, we received a generous gift from the DJ&T Foundation, founded by Bob Barker. The foundation was one of our largest supporters early on, and the funds the organization provided allowed us to begin construction that facilitated the arrival of our first elephants to sanctuary.
The DJ&T Foundation has long lobbied to have elephants released from unhealthy captive environments and into sanctuaries. They have created and funded university programs that aid in animal education, and donate millions of dollars to various animal organizations around the world, helping them to fulfill their individual missions. Perhaps most famously, Mr. Barker is a longtime advocate of pet spay and neuter programs.
We commissioned and recently installed a plaque (pictured here with Bugsy) from Brazilian artist Adriano Figueiredo , and affixed it to a boulder just outside of the human gate for the female Asian barn. You can see Yard 1 in the background of the photo.
This dedication is incredibly important to us at Global Sanctuary for Elephants because, not only is it symbolic of the generosity of the DJ&T Foundation itself, but also because it represents a significant moment in the beginning of this sanctuary’s life. Any young non-profit organization understands that without funding, you are little but a name. If we had not been granted the funding they provided, sanctuary and a life of healing for elephants in South America might still just be a dream. Because of the significance of the donation and of Bob Barker’s lifetime commitment to animal welfare, we are honored to dedicate the Bob Barker Center for Asian Elephant Care.
Comments(22) 
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Susan Flewelling says
March 21, 2022 at 2:18 pmWhat a thoughtful gesture – and it is a beautiful plaque.
A question regarding elephant care – are treatments for the Asian elephants similar to treatments for the African elephants for similar issues or will you need a separate facility to treat the African elephants when they arrive?
Kat Blais says
March 21, 2022 at 3:28 pmThe African elephants have a completely separate habitat, so they have their own barn/care facility. 🙂
Katie Howard says
March 21, 2022 at 2:21 pmIt’s perfect! Well done. ❤️🐘❤️
Alana says
March 21, 2022 at 2:23 pmThat is a beautiful plaque & just perfect.
Eileen says
March 21, 2022 at 2:40 pmLove this, thanks for sharing.
Carol says
March 21, 2022 at 2:48 pmLovely!
Camilla says
March 21, 2022 at 3:18 pmBeautiful all the way around.,❤️🐘
JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
March 21, 2022 at 3:23 pmA WONDERFUL and appropriate honor for Bob Barker. Reading this made me emotional with gratitude for this generous human being. I hope he knows how grateful and appreciated he is. 🐘💝
Kenneth B. Newman says
March 21, 2022 at 3:43 pmYou might in the future have a multi-language sign in English, Spanish and Portugese, telling those who visit who Bob Barker was, and WHY the sanctuary was named for him.
Kat Blais says
March 21, 2022 at 5:08 pmthe plaque is hand-painted by a local artist, so if we do something like that, it will have to be separate. there is no room for that kind of detail on this.
Zoi says
March 21, 2022 at 4:13 pmMagnificent plaque! Great story!
Suzanne Eaton says
March 21, 2022 at 4:15 pmThis is a lovely idea and very fitting to recognize the amazing work of Bob Barker and his DJ&T Foundation.
The Foundation chose well when they trusted Scott and Kat to carry on their work of rescuing elephants and
any other animals that needed them.
Julie says
March 21, 2022 at 4:42 pmWonderfully said, Joann. Thank you, Bob! The plaque is beautiful and seems to fit into its environment well.
Tammy says
March 21, 2022 at 6:56 pmWow, its just beautiful and something i did not know although it’s not surprising. I remember Bob Barker at the end of every Price is Right Show reminding everyone to have their pets spayed or neutered Bob was also involved with saving whales he donated to the Whale Wars Crew funding the purchase of really fast speed boats to go after the harpoon processing ships. Bob was such a passionate man with a very loud voice for animal rights he is deeply missed thankfully his legacy will live on forever 🙏💞
Beji says
March 21, 2022 at 7:35 pmA true humanitarian. God bless him.
Sandi Paquet says
March 22, 2022 at 9:36 amThis is beautiful, thank you for sharing with us. I didn’t know that Bob Barker’s foundation had helped the Sanctuary so much, at the beginning. I hope he knows this is there and loves it too.
Barbara says
March 22, 2022 at 3:50 pmBob Barker is such an animal hero! He has a heart of gold for animals. He’s done more for animals than anyone can imagine, like transporting animals to a good sanctuary. Sea Shepherd even named one of their ships after him (as he’s donated plenty). I can’t think of anyone else who compares to Bob Barker. May God Bless Bob Barker!!!
433Barbara says
March 22, 2022 at 3:50 pmBob Barker is such an animal hero! He has a heart of gold for animals. He’s done more for animals than anyone can imagine, like transporting animals to a good sanctuary. Sea Shepherd even named one of their ships after him (as he’s donated plenty). I can’t think of anyone else who compares to Bob Barker. May God Bless Bob Barker!!!
Carey says
March 22, 2022 at 4:03 pmI am very respectfully attached to Bob Barker, what a diamond. This place being dedicated to him is something special that will outlive him, and it’s important we pay tribute to people like him. I do agree with Kenneth B Newman about (in the future in a larger space) it would be fitting to highlight his activism, he has enabled so much and his substantial donation to Sea Shepherd was also very very touching. If you read this Mr BB, Thank you for all you have done
Lila Nieto says
March 22, 2022 at 10:52 pmLovely! So important.
Angie Gibson says
March 23, 2022 at 4:48 pmIt’s very moving to see human angels coming together to do such good! The dedication sign is so vibrant with color and life, just like the sanctuary and knowing that there are souls, like Mr. Bob Barker, who have been blessed with much and so willingly share with others to make innocent lives better just restores faith that there is still much goodness in the world. What a difference this generosity has made in our elephants’ (and the smaller residents) lives❤️❤️ Thank you 🙏
Lori Hoover says
March 23, 2022 at 7:10 pmI’m just catching up on all the Elephant Sanctuary happenings and news, and this may be the bestest, most beautiful post I’ve had the opportunity to catch up on. I can’t thank Bob Barker and friends enough for all they have done for you and the elephants (and animals everywhere), without that early help, you and all our girls wouldn’t be here for me to know!!
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Dedication: The Bob Barker Center for Asian Elephant Care