In 1989, an unlikely bond was formed in Costa Rica when Gilberto "Chito" Shedden, a local fisherman, stumbled upon a dying crocodile on the banks of the Reventazón River.


In 1989, an unlikely bond was formed in Costa Rica when Gilberto "Chito" Shedden, a local fisherman, stumbled upon a dying crocodile on the banks of the Reventazón River. 

The crocodile, who Shedden named Pocho, had been shot in the head by a cattle farmer. Chito took Pocho home and nursed him back to health, feeding him of chicken and fish.   

Chito believed that, beyond food, "the crocodile needed my love to regain the will to live". He gave Pocho kisses and hugs, talked to him, petted him, and even slept with him. When Pocho's health improved, Chito released him into a nearby river. Pocho refused to return to the wild and chose to stay with Chito.  


For over 20 years, Chito and Pocho swam together in the river outside Chito's home. They played together, with Chito hugging & kissing the 16-foot-long crocodile. Pocho would even respond when Chito called his name.  


Their unique friendship caught the attention of people around the world. They per16-foot-long formed a weekly act on Sunday afternoons in an artificial lake at Finca Las Tilapias in Siquirres, Costa Rica. Pocho died of natural causes in 2011.


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