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Crocodile crazy: The man who enjoys giving his dangerous 'companion' kisses and cuddles
Known as the 'Crocodile Man', Costa Rican animal lover 'Chito' swims, plays and even feeds 'Pocho' the giant crocodile in what is oneof the world's most unlikely friendships.
Wading chest-deep through the green water in a 100 sq/m lake in Siquirres, this bizarre and dangerous spectacle draws tourists from around the world.
Calling quietly for his five metre long 'companion' before thrashing around, lifting his tail and head above the water.
Read more: Crocodile crazy: The man who enjoys giving his dangerous 'companion' a cuddle | Mail Online
Unlikely friendship: Chito rests on top of buddy Pocho, who he rescued after the crocodile was shot in the eye
'This is a very dangerous routine but Pocho is my friend and we have a good relationship,' says 52-year-old Chito. 'He will look me in the eye andhe does not attack me.
'It is too dangerous for anyone else to come in the water. It is only ever the two of us.'
The bizarre friendship began nearly 20 years ago when Chito rescued the 980-pound crocodile after finding him close to death on the shore of the ParisminaRiver, in the Caribbean province of Limsn.
Crazy: Chito plays with Pocho the crocodile, who seems to enjoy the attention
Shot in the left eye by a cattle farmer after preying on a herd of cows, Chito enlisted the help of several friends to load the massive reptile into his boat,Naming him 'Pocho' (meaning strength), the fisherman says he healed the reptile with medicine, food, and, more importantly, lots of care and attention.
'When I found him in the river after he was dying so I put him in my boat and I brought him into my house,' recalls Chito.
'He was very skinny, weighing only around 150 pounds, so I gave him chicken and fish and medicine for six months to help him recover.'
Rolling around: Chito says that if anyone else entered the water it would be deadly
During the recovery process, Chito stayed by Pocho's side, even sleeping with him at night.
'I just wanted him to feel that someone loved him, that not all humans are bad,' Chito says. 'I love all animals, especially ones that havesuffered. It meant a lot of sacrifice. I had to be there every day.'
After Chito felt that Pocho had bonded with him, he started to get closer and closer to the animal.
Tourist attraction: It took Chito many years to build his relationship with Pocho to this level
'After 10 years I started to work with him,' he says. 'At first it was slow, slow and I started to play with him a little, touching him a littlebit and then slowly doing more. Then I found that when I called his name he would come over to me.'
Today tourists travel from all over the world to see the unusual spectacle.
'I am happy because I rescued him and he is happy with me because he has everything he need says chito
IDK IF IM LATE
BUT DAMN!!!!!!
Known as the 'Crocodile Man', Costa Rican animal lover 'Chito' swims, plays and even feeds 'Pocho' the giant crocodile in what is oneof the world's most unlikely friendships.
Wading chest-deep through the green water in a 100 sq/m lake in Siquirres, this bizarre and dangerous spectacle draws tourists from around the world.
Calling quietly for his five metre long 'companion' before thrashing around, lifting his tail and head above the water.
Read more: Crocodile crazy: The man who enjoys giving his dangerous 'companion' a cuddle | Mail Online
Unlikely friendship: Chito rests on top of buddy Pocho, who he rescued after the crocodile was shot in the eye
'This is a very dangerous routine but Pocho is my friend and we have a good relationship,' says 52-year-old Chito. 'He will look me in the eye andhe does not attack me.
'It is too dangerous for anyone else to come in the water. It is only ever the two of us.'
The bizarre friendship began nearly 20 years ago when Chito rescued the 980-pound crocodile after finding him close to death on the shore of the ParisminaRiver, in the Caribbean province of Limsn.
Crazy: Chito plays with Pocho the crocodile, who seems to enjoy the attention
Shot in the left eye by a cattle farmer after preying on a herd of cows, Chito enlisted the help of several friends to load the massive reptile into his boat,Naming him 'Pocho' (meaning strength), the fisherman says he healed the reptile with medicine, food, and, more importantly, lots of care and attention.
'When I found him in the river after he was dying so I put him in my boat and I brought him into my house,' recalls Chito.
'He was very skinny, weighing only around 150 pounds, so I gave him chicken and fish and medicine for six months to help him recover.'
Rolling around: Chito says that if anyone else entered the water it would be deadly
During the recovery process, Chito stayed by Pocho's side, even sleeping with him at night.
'I just wanted him to feel that someone loved him, that not all humans are bad,' Chito says. 'I love all animals, especially ones that havesuffered. It meant a lot of sacrifice. I had to be there every day.'
After Chito felt that Pocho had bonded with him, he started to get closer and closer to the animal.
Tourist attraction: It took Chito many years to build his relationship with Pocho to this level
'After 10 years I started to work with him,' he says. 'At first it was slow, slow and I started to play with him a little, touching him a littlebit and then slowly doing more. Then I found that when I called his name he would come over to me.'
Today tourists travel from all over the world to see the unusual spectacle.
'I am happy because I rescued him and he is happy with me because he has everything he need says chito
IDK IF IM LATE
BUT DAMN!!!!!!