Before the Nelvana series, Babar had 2 tv specials directed by Bill Melendez "The Story of Babar, The Little Elephant" aired on NBC on October 21, 1968 and "Babar Goes To America" aired on NBC on September 7, 1971
in these 2 specials, Babar is voiced by Peter Ustinov (of which people remember him as Prince John of Disney's anthropomorphic film, Robin Hood)
These 2 WERE on YouTube at some point but sadly were removed for unknown reasons If anyone has these 2 specials, please repost them on both YouTube and Internet Archive