Elephants, guarded by their mahouts, took part in a soccer match on the final day of the Elephant Race event at Sauraha in Chitwan in Nepal Wednesday.
Located about 170 km (106 miles) south of Kathmandu, the place observed a three-day event featuring various sports and activities of elephants from Chitwan. The animals even participated in an elephant beauty contest.
The event was organized to attract tourists to Nepal and promote conservation awareness.
Check out some of the pictures of participating elephants at their best below:
Mahouts and their elephants vie for a ball during a soccer match on the final day of the Elephant Race event at Sauraha in Chitwan, about 170 km (106 miles) south of Kathmandu Dec. 28, 2011.REUTERS/Navesh ChitrakarAn elephant tries to kick a ball during a soccer match on the final day of the Elephant Race event at Sauraha in Chitwan Dec. 28, 2011.REUTERS/Navesh ChitrakarElephants vie for a ball during a soccer match on the final day of the Elephant Race event at Sauraha in Chitwan Dec. 28, 2011.REUTERS/Navesh ChitrakarA mahout instructs his elephant at a soccer match during an Elephant Race event at Sauraha in Chitwan Dec. 28, 2011.REUTERS/Navesh ChitrakarA mahout rides his adorned elephant after participating in an elephant beauty contest on the final day of the Elephant Race event at Sauraha in Chitwan Dec. 28, 2011.REUTERS/Navesh ChitrakarMahouts and their elephants run after a ball during a soccer match on the final day of the Elephant Race event at Sauraha in ChitwanDec. 28, 2011.REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar