About Us News Events Photos Features Links

Search Site Links CircuSpace AYCO Circus Historical Society Circus Model Builders   Feedback Send photos, news and comments

Meet the Terranova Kids & Their Amazing Animal Friends  Submitted by Jim Cole on   7/26/2009 Last Modified For the sixth year in a row, Circus4Youth has traveled to Peru, Indiana for the annual "Circus City Festival" which features the Peru Amateur Youth Circus.  While there, we have also visited the "International Circus Hall of Fame" which is located in rural Peru.  During the last three visits, there have been professional circus familys with kids performing under the big top at the Circus Hall of Fame.  In 2007 we did a feature article on the Cristiani family, and last year we introduced our readers to the Alvarez family.   This year, Circus4Youth would like you to meet the Terranova family, and their amazing animals! 11 year old Alexandrea, Doug (their dad) and 7 year old Taylar Terranova. That's Congo and Kamba, their performing Elephants. Living and working with circus animals would be a very unique way of life for most kids, but for Alexandrea, Taylar and their 18 month old brother Rayce, it is so very normal.  Their father is professional circus animal trainer Doug Terranova, and these kids spend their summers on the road with him.  They have a very large family if you include 2 African Elephant, 5 Tigers, a Camel, 2 Zebras, a North American Mountain Lion, a Spider Monkey, and two house cats.   With this large assortment of animals, comes a lot of work to make sure they all get the best possible care while traveling from one circus to another.   Their dad has 3 hired hands to do much of the work, but the two girls each have chores to do with regard to caring for their animals.   Doug shows Taylar the safe way to pass a watering pan to Shasta the Mountain Lion. While working with animals like this can be fun, safety is a top priority. Taylar passes some hay to the elephants, her dad is always close by. Entering the circus ring atop an elephant.     Left: Alexandrea on Congo, Right: Taylar on Kamba     Doug presents the Tigers, while Alexandrea works the cage door that lets the Tigers in and out of the "big cage".  She must be very careful to make sure the Tigers are let in and out in the correct order. But other than their unusual home life, the Terranova girls are quite your everyday kids.  They go to school in Texas, and have many friends, both in and out of circus.   Alexandrea is in the 6th grade, and says her favorite subject is math.  She has a close friend in Texas named Ashley who often comes around when they are home and helps with the animals.  When asked about her favorite food, Hot Dogs seem to top the list. She enjoys Rap music and "Twighlight" is her favorite movie. 7 year old Taylar is in the 2nd grade, and she enjoys helping her dad take care of the animals, as does her sister.   But when it comes to food, hot dogs just have to go, a good plate of Chinese food sends her back for seconds.  She shares her sister's choice however of music and movies. Taylar and Alexandrea show off their new costumes that just arrived via UPS!     Left: Alexandrea text messages her friend Ashley who is home in Texas. Right: The Terranova girls pose with their friends Ariana and Gianni Alvarez at the Peru Circus Festival.     18 month old Rayce is too young to work with the animals, but he none the less enjoys being around them.  That's his close buddy "Bucky" the Spider Monkey. Rayce pays a visit to the Donkeys. The special transport semi trailer that is designed to provide maximum comfort for the animals while traveling from city to city. Alexandrea and Taylar ride high atop the elephants in the 50th annual Peru Circus Parade. Check out Alexandrea's and Taylar's page on "CircuSpace"  send them a greeting, tell them you saw their article on Circus4Youth! THE END Email This Resource   Copyright © 1999-2010 Circus Fans Association of America and Authors. For more information view our  Copyright Policy & Privacy Policy .

Most Viewed CHRISTINA CAMPOLONGO, Aerialist With Cirque Du Soleil. Meet Ashley Felix 10 Year Old Star With Carson and Barnes Circus MICKEY KING, PART1, History of One of the Greastest Lady Aerialists. IANNA SPIRIT RIDERS, Youth Circus Acrobatics on Horseback. FREEDOM ON THE HIGH WIRE, A Firsthand Story of The Peru High Wire Act Last Viewed Meet the Terranova Kids & Their Amazing Animal Friends CAFE APPASSIONATO, A Photo Essay What Circus Has Done For Me ...UPDATED MICKEY KING, PART1, History of One of the Greastest Lady Aerialists. 2010 Children's Circus of Middletown, Part 1