A fisherman makes friends with a crocodile

A fisherman in Costa Rica befriends a crocodile of 445 kilos

Gilberto Shedden is the only person known to have managed to tame one of these reptiles.

Siquirres (Costa Rica). (EFE) .- With almost five meters long, 445 kilos and more than 70 teeth, Pocho is the favorite pet of Gilberto Shedden, better known as Chito, a Costa Rican fisherman who has become known as the only person in the world that has managed to "tame" a crocodile.

With a huge smile on his face, Chito, 54, Pocho quietly next to nothing in a pond on his farm in the town of Siquirres, about 70 miles east of San Jose.

But not just anything with him has taught him to do various tricks like rolling over his body, giving the leg, hold the tail and head held high and to close one eye.

The relationship between man and crocodile is close and unique in the world and is the reason why dozens of scientists, animal behavior experts and journalists visiting the home of Chito, his wife, his daughter and his crocodile each year.

The history of Chito and Pocho is pure friendship. 20 years ago found the crocodile in the river Parismina dying in the Caribbean, as a farmer had shot their calves for eating on the shore. The fisherman, who was then 34 years, got into his boat and took him home to take his scalp, but over the days without the animal died decided to heal and feed.

His wife, Olga Valle, has a laugh that the arrival of Pocho Chito was kept a secret for months and that was a mystery where he went at night.

Now says that although she feels much respect for the crocodile as "always a wild animal," Pocho is certainly part of his family.

"I fed him chicken. At first it was all ugly, skinny, malnourished and then we got fat. I would see every night, and once looked at me and asking me to enter the water with him, then I got to swim, "Chito tells, with the same emotion with regard to his 10 year old daughter, who also yearns to enter the lake with his father but still not allow it.

In fact, Chito is the only person that anything with Pocho. Every Sunday afternoon do a show for tourists and incredulous, coming from all over Costa Rica to test whether the ability of this "Tarzan Tico" (Chito stage name) is real or a gimmick.

With a distinctive and contagious joy, Chito starts singing and dancing to Caribbean rhythms curious visitors before diving into the water with confidence.

Ensures that Pocho is grateful for saving his life and does not hesitate to say that this enormous crocodile is your best friend, and that there is a link between that nobody else can understand.

The Costa Rican authorities are aware of Pocho and its unique behavior and maintain a constant evaluation.

The crocodile is monitored by biologists and veterinarians, but none comes to the lagoon where it lives.

"They tell me all I have to do and I do because no one dares to enter the water," says Chito, speaking of indications including medical examinations, food and even give you medication if needed.

Pocho eats six to eight chickens, plus some fish, about three times a week. It has about 50 years old and could live for 30 more.

In 20 years of life "family", the fisherman has never been hurt by the crocodile, which has the same friendly attitude with other people.

Even Chito each January 1 performs a unique trick: shoves his hand and his head into the gaping mouth of Pocho.

I do it because it is the first of the year and I know he's not going to eat that day," jokes this bold fisherman, with his endless good humor and his unique smile.

Source: lavanguardia.com