1. Cameron Hutchins, a third-grader at Sherwood Heights Elementary School in Auburn, holds a plastic horn as Cora, an Asian elephant, gives it a toot Thursday at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Cora and an African elephant named Shannon were on hand to give about 300 Auburn third grade students a preview to the Kora Shriners’ 53rd Annual Shrine Circus. Performances are scheduled Friday at 4 and 8 p.m. and Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 2 and 7 p.m. at the Colisee. Looking on are Cora’s owners, Cindy and Bill Morris of Tampa, Fla.

2. Owner Bill Morris has Shannon, an African elephant, display the size of her enormous ears.

3. Michal Cwik, left, and Sarah Knoblach, third-graders at Fairview Elementary School, applaud the antics of Shannona and Cora.

4. Shannon and Cora demonstrate their dexterity by plucking carrots off the floor of the Colisee.

5. A student gets a hands-on experience feeling the texture of Cora’s trunk.

6. Cora, the Asian elephant, gazes at her visitors.