BBC News Online: World: Europe

Jumbo race 'a big success'

The event in Berlin's Hoppegarten featured 14 circus elephants, half of them African and half Asian.

They raised protest banners and some chained themselves together at the racecourse, as the six races went ahead.

Earlier petitions, a fax campaign and a complaint filed with local prosecutors failed to get the event halted.

The elephants, aged between 14 and 35 years, were urged on only by shouts from their jockeys. They pounded down the 300-metre course in about one minute.

After crossing the finishing line they were rewarded with treats of fruits and vegetables.

Racing tradition

The idea for the race came from the Indian-born mayor of the town of Altlandsberg, just east of Berlin, Ravindra Gujjula.

The Indian Embassy in Berlin distanced itself from the event. A spokesperson said the ambassador, who was named honorary chairman of the event, would not be attending.

At the race Mr Gujjula defended the event saying "the animals have fun".

He said the number of spectators showed it was a success but that he had no further race plans.

Elephants have protected status in India, where the animal is revered by many Hindus because of its resemblance to the elephant-headed god Ganesh.