November 28, 1995
Web posted at: 7:45 a.m. EST
From Correspondent Sherry Dean
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Anna Mae, Ned and Amy are three giant performers who, with their nimble antics, regularly tug the mouths -- and hearts -- of spectators at Manhattan's Big Apple Circus.
All it takes to make this elephant trio spry and graceful, say their trainers, are a few persuasive words, some experience, and a big tolerance for unpleasant odors.
While most children grow up with a family dog, Bill Woodcock was raised petting elephants, prompting him to follow in his father's footsteps and become an elephant trainer.
Anna Mae was trained by the senior Woodcock almost 50 years ago, and she is still considered a steady and reliable performer. Bill Woodcock constantly talks to her, verbally patting her attempts to follow his instructions with a "good girl."
"People ask me all the time what language I speak to them in," Woodcock said. "And I tell 'em Florida redneck, because the elephants know what I'm saying and the people don't." (588K QuickTime movie)
Elephants, he noted, are quick learners. "They learn in a hurry," he said. "I've never had an elephant that I couldn't teach to sit up in a day."
Yet, like people, there are the bright elephants, and a few "that's as dumb as a box of rocks." "What that means is that the smarter will do smarter things," Woodcock said. "Those that are not will just kind of be in the chorus."
Elizabeth Griffith recently joined the elephant act. Her job: being held in the elephant's mouth while it runs and jumps about. A former trapeze artist, she said her mother is much happier now that she's working on the ground.
Woodcock said some elephants can be diabolical, but not his troupe. They not only let an amateur feed them, but also give her short rides on their trunks.
There's nothing that intimidates Woodcock or his son, Shannon, about elephants. The only downside, Shannon Woodcock said, is the smell. "But I'm used to it," he said.
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