The Man Who Kisses Crocodiles

note: I love this story; how love tames the wildest and most primitive of beasts. Crocs have been around for at least 200 million years,very ancient reptilian mind.
-michael

CROCODILE CRAZY:
THE MAN WHO ENJOYS GIVING HIS DANGEROUS ‘COMPANION’ KISSES AND CUDDLES
Daily Mail
August 17, 2009

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1206872/Crocodile-crazy-The-man-enjo
ys-giving-dangerous-companion-cuddle.html

Known as the ‘Crocodile Man’, Costa Rican animal lover ‘Chito’ swims, plays
and even feeds ‘Pocho’ the giant crocodile in what 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 metre 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 Limsn.

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.’

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 have suffered.
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.

‘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 little bit 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 needs,” says Chito.