Elephant racing

[1][2] In the 20th century, this became a major event (though it generated protests) in Germany in 1920, and an organized International Elephant Race in Nepal from tourism interests in 1982.

A straight and long trunk is an important factor in the race for the elephants to cross the finish line.

The race course, in the forests of the banks of the Sevepoi River, is a mile long track wide enough to accommodate nine participating elephants.

The first elephant crossing the winning post is given a wreath as an award, and also fed with bananas and sugar cane.

[2] A major festival is held at Wat Phou, every year in March, when elephant racing is a traditional popular sport event.

Members of the Animal Peace group's protest was supported by leading personalities like Maneka Gandhi, the then Minister for Social Affairs in India, Nina Hagen, the German rock singer, and Brigitte Bardot, the French film actress.

A video film documented by Reuters has recorded that the elephants move fast on the chosen straight route, which is flanked by spectators.