Thanks to everyone who has e-mailed me with news of Motala -- the prosthetically-propelled pachyderm.

The 44-year old female elephant had her foot amputated after she stepped on a landmine on the Thailand-Burma border six years ago.

Motala's temporary prosthesis is a a green canvas sack filled with sawdust and cushions.

I don't think she'll be troubling me on the duathlon circuit any time soon.