A Man Befriends a Crocodile

A special friendship between a man and a crocodile began in a Costa Rican jungle when Chito, a fisherman, discovered a crocodile that had been shot in the eye by a cattle farmer and left for dead.

Chito dragged the large reptile into his boat and brought him to his home. He stayed beside him for months, sleeping beside him, nursing him back to health.

I just wanted him to feel that somebody loved him, that not all humans are bad.

It meant a lot of sacrifice. I had to be there every day. I love all animals -- especially ones that have suffered.

He named the animal "Pocho." 
When the time came that Pocho was already strong and doing well, Chito took him to the lake near his house and released him, returning to the wildlife where Pocho belongs. But to the surprise of Chito, Pocho got back out of the water and followed him home.

Then I found out that when I called his name he would come over to me.

Pocho is roughly 5.18 meters (17 feet) long. He and Chito play, wrestle and hug on a daily basis. That bond, Chito said, took years to forge.

After a decade I started to work with him. At first it was slow, slow. I played with him a bit, slowly doing more.

Chito didn't want to tell his story but later on decided to share his experience and advocacy. He wants to raise awareness of the cruelty that can be done to animals, and the difference that affection and treating other rightly can make.

He's my friend, I don't want to treat him like a slave or exploit him. I am happy because I rescued him and he is happy with me because he has everything he needs.