They are best known as giant beasts living in far-flung lands thousands of miles from Norfolk.
But soon their miniature model counterparts will be on parade in a Norwich shopping centre.
And children from across the county have eagerly been getting creative in a bid to have their design painted on to the 75cm-tall baby statue for public display.
Yesterday judges sifted through more than 100 bright and beautiful entries at Reepham Primary School to choose a winner.
It was year two pupil Shannon Holland's eye-catching idea which bagged the top prize.
The six-year-old's dotty design, called Bubbles, will be one of 30 elephants on display at intu Chapelfield during April.
Headteacher Miriam Jones said the children had entered a range of designs – from army camouflage to the depiction of a summer's day.
'We are really delighted to be part of the elephant parade,' she said.
'It's a fantastic competition for the children to get involved in, and choosing a winner was very difficult.'
Mrs Jones also awarded runner-up prizes to two other children for their colourful ideas.
Liberty Downing, aged five, drew a sunny day on to her elephant template, and Alfie Moss, aged 11, took inspiration from his love of Norwich City Football Club when designing his Canary-style animal.
The Elephant Parade at the shopping centre is part of the world's largest open air art exhibition of decorated elephant statues which seeks to raise public awareness and support for Asian elephant conservation.
The mixture of designs by children, professional artists and celebrities will be sold or auctioned after the event to raise money for the Asian Elephant Foundation, a charity which supports conservation.
The other six designs will be picked from Great Yarmouth College, the Hewett School in Norwich, Smithdon High School in Hunstanton, Roydon Primary School, Forncett Primary School and Sparhawk Infant & Nursery School in Sprowston.
The parade will start on April 7.
Have you got a Reepham story? Email rosa.mcmahon@archant.co.uk
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