Girls ride an elephant before taking part in an elephant festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about elephants, in Sayaboury province, Laos February 16, 2017. (Photo by Phoonsab Thevongsa/Reuters)





A mahout rides an elephant before taking part in an elephant festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about elephants, in Sayaboury province, Laos February 16, 2017. (Photo by Phoonsab Thevongsa/Reuters)





People stand around a baby elephant before taking part in an elephant festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about elephants, in Sayaboury province, Laos February 16, 2017. (Photo by Phoonsab Thevongsa/Reuters)





A mahout rides an elephant before taking part in an elephant festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about elephants, in Sayaboury province, Laos February 16, 2017. (Photo by Phoonsab Thevongsa/Reuters)





A mahout walks with an elephant after bathing him in a river, before taking part in an elephant festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about elephants, in Sayaboury province, Laos February 17, 2017. (Photo by Phoonsab Thevongsa/Reuters)





Mahouts bath elephants in Houng River before taking part in an elephant festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about elephants, in Sayaboury province, Laos February 17, 2017. (Photo by Phoonsab Thevongsa/Reuters)





A mahout baths an elephant in Houng River before taking part in an elephant festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about elephants, in Sayaboury province, Laos February 17, 2017. (Photo by Phoonsab Thevongsa/Reuters)





Women line up for alms offering as they take part in an elephant festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about elephants, in Sayaboury province, Laos February 17, 2017. (Photo by Phoonsab Thevongsa/Reuters)





Mahouts bath elephants in Houng River before taking part in an elephant festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about elephants, in Sayaboury province, Laos February 17, 2017. (Photo by Phoonsab Thevongsa/Reuters)





Elephants take part in the rehearsal before the opening of the elephant festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about elephants, in Sayaboury province, Laos February 17, 2017. (Photo by Phoonsab Thevongsa/Reuters)





A mahout walks with an elephant after bathing him in a river, before taking part in an elephant festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about elephants, in Sayaboury province, Laos February 17, 2017. (Photo by Phoonsab Thevongsa/Reuters)





An elephant takes part in the rehearsal before the opening of the elephant festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about elephants, in Sayaboury province, Laos February 17, 2017. (Photo by Phoonsab Thevongsa/Reuters)





Elephants take part in the rehearsal before the opening of the elephant festival, which organisers say aims to raise awareness about elephants, in Sayaboury province, Laos February 17, 2017. (Photo by Phoonsab Thevongsa/Reuters)