(Image Credit: Sacramento Bee/MCT/Newscom)

Former game-show host Bob Barker welcomed three elephants to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) sanctuary in San Andreas, Calif., after donating nearly $1 million to ensure their safe transport from a Canadian zoo.

After an uphill battle between zoo officials and PAWS, Barker agreed to fund the elephants' trip to the California sanctuary, according to Sacramento news station FOX 40.

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"I had a lump in my throat, I had tears in my eyes," Barker said of his decision to act. "I've discovered that the older I get, the easier I cry."

The longtime host of CBS's "The Price Is Right" was on hand Monday to watch elephants Iringa, Thika and Toka explore the 2,000 acres of their new home. The activist, 89, said he has no regrets about the big payout, adding that he intends to spend more on other worthy causes.

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"I had a job that I loved," he said. "I was very well paid for it, and now I'm spending my money. I intend to die broke."