Barker's advocacy extended far beyond domestic pets. In 2009, he donated $5 million to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The organization used the funds to purchase a 1,200-ton, ice-strengthened former Norwegian whaling vessel, naming it the MY Bob Barker.
For over a decade, the vessel engaged in direct-action campaigns in the remote Southern Ocean, actively blocking illegal Japanese whaling operations, cutting driftnets, and protecting marine life. The ship's operations contributed directly to the eventual suspension of commercial whaling activities in Antarctic sanctuaries.
4. Rescuing Captive Wildlife and Performing Animals
Barker was an early and vocal opponent of keeping large mammals in captivity for human entertainment.
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PAWS Sanctuary: He provided substantial financial backing to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in California, funding the creation of vast, naturalized habitats for rescued circus and zoo animals.
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The Toronto Elephants: In 2013, Barker personally spent nearly $1 million to transport three aging elephants—Irena, Toka, and Thika—from the Toronto Zoo to the PAWS sanctuary in Northern California, hiring specialized transport planes, veterinary teams, and support caravans to ensure their safe relocation.
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Game Show Boycotts: Within his television career, he refused to host The Price Is Right unless fur coats were permanently banned as prize giveaways, and he resigned as host of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants in 1987 when organizers refused to remove real fur coats from the broadcasts.
The Ultimate Gift: Barker’s Estate and Long-Term Legacy
When Bob Barker passed away peacefully at his Hollywood Hills home in August 2023, his departure marked the end of an era. Yet, his estate planning ensured that his death was not the end of his work, but rather the ignition of its largest funding phase.