9th International Elephant Festival Held In Sauraha, Nepal

Decorated elephants take part in a beauty contest during the second day of 9th International Elephant Festival in Sauraha of Chitwan district, Nepal, Dec. 27, 2012. The festival was organized to promote tourism and to raise awareness of elephant protection in Nepal.

A participant decorates an elephant for a beauty contest during the second day of 9th International Elephant Festival in Sauraha of Chitwan district, Nepal, Dec. 27, 2012. <Xinhua/Sunil Pradhan>