Russian legenday circus trainer Teresa Durova died in Moscow this weekend. She was the smallest and the bravest elephants trainer in the world.

      Teresa Durova - the first female trainer in the celebrated circus trainers dynasty of the Durovs - has passed away on the 86th year of her life. The mourning ceremony was held today in the Moscow Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in the Vladykino district. Teresa will be buried in the Vladykino cemetery, near her passed relatives' graves.

      The legend of Soviet and Russian circus easily controlled elephants, camels and many other animals, including ponies, monkeys, pelicans, Caucasian goats - more than 100 animals for her long career. She managed to stage unique and dangerous performances, which nobody had tried to stage before. Durova has many serious injures but never showed fear or pain before the public. Being of a small stature - only 150 centimetres - she trained the biggest elephants - up to 3 meters high and weight of about 6 tonnes.

      Teresa was "a soul" of the circus, she was often called "Mother Teresa" for her very kind attitude to both people and animals. Last year she took a decision to leave the stage after 65 years of her successful career. One of the reasons for such decision was the death of her favourite she-elephant Monry.

      Durova gave all her animals to thó Penza circus, which later was named after her. "We, Russian circus trainers, have our special methods of work. We train our animals with kindness, endearment and encouragement, but never with punishment or violence", Teresa Durova said. "This is a main principle of the Durov family".