Elephants play basketball

Photos of two elephants playing basketball in Thailand once again prove that their ability to learn is infinite.

6-year-old elephant Malie and 9-year-old elephant in the center of Island Safari, island of Koh Samui, Thailand are trained to play basketball.Photo: Bronek Kaminiski.

The staff at Island Safari Center said big animals have to work very hard to learn the basics of basketball.

First they have to learn the movements to keep the balance on their heads.

Then they practice holding the ball with a tap and moving.

Throw the ball into the basket.

With an excited expression, Malie kept the ball and kept her balance on her hind legs to wait for the instructor's command.

After hearing the command, the elephant throws the ball into the basket.

"We have to train elephants for 2-3 months to get them to know the basic techniques. But luckily their level improves day by day," Ning, an employee of the center, said.

Two elephants perform movements as if they are about to compete with each other.