Pocho is the favorite mascot of the Costa Rican fisherman Gilberto Shedden

• With its almost five meters long, 445 kilos of weight and more than 70 teeth, Pocho is the favorite mascot of the Costa Rican fisherman Gilberto Shedden.
• This human relationship – crocodile is unique in the world and has attracted the attention of dozens of scientists.
• Make 20 years old Shedden found the dying crocodile in a river and decided to heal and care for it.
• Pocho has some 50 years old and could live a few 30 more.

With its almost five meters long, 445 kilos of weight and more than 70 teeth, Pocho is the favorite mascot of Gilberto Shedden, better known as Chito, a Costa Rican fisherman who has become known as the only person in the world who has achieved «domesticar» a un cocodrilo. With a huge smile on his face, Chito, of 54 years, anything calmly with Pocho in a pond on his farm in the town of Siquirres, a few 70 miles east of San Jose. But not just anything with him: He has taught to do various tricks like shooting on his body, give the leg, Sustaining head and tail high and to close an eye.

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

I gave him to eat chickens. At first it was all ugly, skinny and malnourished and then proceeded already chubby

The history of Chito and Pocho is pure friendship. Make 20 years found to the dying crocodile on the Parismina river, in the area of the Caribbean, because a rancher had shot him for eating his calves on the shore. The fisherman, which then had 34 years, so he boarded their boat and took him to his house to take advantage of your leather, but as the days passed without the animal dying, he decided to cure it and feed it.

His wife, Olga Valley, account laughs that the arrival of Pocho was a secret Chito saved for months and that was a mystery where going at night. Now ensures that, aunque ella siente mucho respeto por el cocodrilo pues «siempre será un animal silvestre», Pocho is without doubt part of his family.

In fact, Chito is the only person who swims with Pocho. Every Sunday afternoon to make a show for tourists and disbelief people, que llegan desde todo Costa Rica para comprobar si la destreza de este «Tarzán Tico» (Chito's stage name) is real or a trick.

Every Sunday afternoon to make a show for tourists and disbelief

With a characteristic and contagious joy, Chito puts singing and dancing Caribbean rhythms to curious visitors before launching into the water with complete confidence. He claims that Pocho is grateful to save life and does not hesitate to say that this enormous crocodile is your best friend, and that between both there is a bond that no one else can understand.

Costa Rican authorities are aware of Pocho and their unique behavior and maintain a constant evaluation. The crocodile is monitored by biologists and veterinarians, but none enters the lagoon where it occurs. «Ellos me dicen todo lo que tengo que hacer y yo lo hago porque nobody dares to put on the water«, Chito says, speaking of indications which include medical examinations, Food and even give medications if necessary.

Pocho is eaten between six and eight chickens, some more fish, about three times per week. It has some 50 years of age and could live a few 30 more. In 20 años de vida «en familia», the fisherman has never been hurt by the crocodile, that it does not have the same friendly attitude with other people.

Even, each 1 January Chito performs a unique trick: He puts his hand and his head in the huge mouth of Pocho. «Lo hago porque es el primer día del año y I know he won't eat me that day«, jokes this daring fisherman, with its endless good humour and her singular smile.

EFE

Update

Via: Elmundo.es