A mahout prepares his elephant for the Elephant Race event at Sauraha in Chitwan, about 170 km (106 miles) south of Kathmandu Dec 26, 2012. Elephants and mahouts from Chitwan will participate in the Elephant Race event, which begins Wednesday and ends on Friday, where elephants will play in an exhibition soccer match and various other sports and activities. [Photo/Agencies]

Mahouts ride on elephants as they cross the Rapti River after collecting food from Chitwan National Park at Sauraha in Chitwan, about 170 km (106 miles) south of Kathmandu, Dec 26, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]