1 / 4   Zookeeper Cui Yuanyuan, who has a master's degree in animal protection, washing the feet and clipping the nails of a four-ton elephant in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi province before it meets tourists during the Spring Festival. The zoo hopes its refreshed animals impress visitors during the holiday. /VCG Photo

2 / 4   According to Cui, elephants’ feet can easily become inflamed because of the stools they step on. In the wild, elephants can self-prune by digging grass themselves, but in captivity, they need artificial manicures. /VCG Photo

3 / 4   Cui, who has been a trainer since 2016, has done scientific training in animal behaviors. /VCG Photo

4 / 4   Cui customizes manicure tools and gives elephants a  makeover once a month. She believes taking care of animals is not simply about feeding them. “Animals truly have feelings and emotions. Respect is needed,” Cui said. /VCG Photo