But as an old Chinese saying goes, "nothing is really strange in a world as great as this" and in Costa Rica we have a man who incredibly has a pet friendly crocodile.
Known as the 'Crocodile Man', Chito Loco performs a weekly show in Siquirres, Costa Rica with Pocho, an enormous crocodile. The animal lover Chito swims, plays and even feeds Pocho, the giant crocodile. This is one of 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 meter long 'companion' before thrashing around, lifting his tail and head above the water.
'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 and he 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 Parismina River, in the Caribbean province of Limon.
When I heard the story it reminded me of the Chinese proverb / fairytale- once upon a time, an old peasant met a snake in winter. The snake was freezing and the peasant feeling sorry for the snake decides to save the snake. So he takes the snake home and gives him warmth. However, when the snake gets enough power to attack, it bites its saviour and the peasant dies. The lesson learned is that sometimes an animals nature just cannot be changed
I just worry that Chito one day may become lunch for Pocho. A lot of friends on the website share the view that he will be the crocodile’s lunch one day and say the lunch issue is just a matter of time.
Seeing the man enjoy giving his dangerous 'companion' kisses and cuddles, I’m, however, somewhat moved. Humans have had very tenuous relationships with so called dangerous animals, like crocodiles and sharks; we kill them when we can while they attack us when we are near.
Is Chito Loco the exception that proves the rule?.
Peter Zhang (August 2009)
I met himm in January 2010 while visiting kin Costa Rica. Turns out, he's a family friend! (Who knew). A very humble, giving guy. But you can't call that alligator wrestling. It's playing in the water with his 900 pound friend. The restaurant he runs where the alligator show is done every Sunday, Tilapias, has some of the best food anywhere. It's in an unassuming and poor part of the Carribean countryside at the foot of the rain forest, with beautiful people, full of heart. Chito does karaoke, too!
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