Luk Chai

Maybe it's the size of the soccer ball or simply Luk Chai's cuteness on his own, but are you really surprised that to see that this elephant won for the best zoo photos in 2009? He's hammin' it up for the camera with his ginormous toy to make him the best, and likely also one of the biggest, zoo posers this year! Born back in July at Sydney's Taronga Zoo, he may not be a star athlete but is a shining star in my eyes in the looks department.

Check out his kicking and climbing skills, along with bonus rope work and flower snacks, when you read more

A soccer playing elephant?! Now I've heard of everything. Although his version is more of a dribble, dribble, smush, Luk Chai looks rather cute no matter what he's doing.

This baby Asian Elephant was born last month at Sydney's Taronga Zoo — home to another adoro pachyderm, hippo Monifa — and is already drawing quite the crowds. Keepers have equipped the babe with this ginormous soccer ball, but he needs a bit more practice to get the hang of the game. World Cup 2010 for Australia, perhaps?

Check out his kicking and climbing skills, along with bonus rope work and flower snacks, when you read more