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Elephants played soccer in an elephant-themed festival in Nepal, the Daily Mail reported.

Teams of four elephants played soccer matches using a standard-size ball.

The elephants blocked passes, kicked the ball and batted it with their trunks, pushing each other for control of the play.

"The elephants are between four and five years old. Young ones are easier to train and run faster," said Basudev Mahato, 37, an elephant mahout.

The three-day event was held to promote conservation awareness and lure foreign visitors to Nepal.

Among the events was an elephant beauty pageant, where contestants sported nail polish on their not-so-dainty toes.（点击英国《每日邮报》查看原文）

尼泊尔大象踢足球

       数头大象在尼泊尔大象节上踢起了足球。

       据英国《每日邮报》报道，每支足球队由四头大象组成。它们使用标准大小的足球，拦球、踢球、用鼻子击球，互相推搡以控制局面。

       37岁的看象人巴苏德福•马哈图说：“这些大象都是4到5岁。年龄小的象容易训练，跑得也快。”

       据悉，为期三天的大象节旨在宣传环保，吸引外国游客来尼泊尔旅游。

       众多赛事中还有一项是选美比赛，参赛大象那并不精致的脚趾被涂了指甲油。

(China.org.cn December 31, 2011)