Nothing compares to owning a five-meter, 500-kilogram crocodile.
It’s hard to believe, but Gilberto Shedden from Costa Rica had a large and intimidating crocodile named Pocho, and he swam with him in the river every day for almost two decades.
Shedden, a fisherman, guide and biologist from Secures, Limón, Costa Rica, discovered Pocho as he lay dying in the local Reventason River.
The crocodile was shot in the head in the left eye, perhaps the farmer was angry because the beast was preying on his cows.
Shedden had no intention of leaving the crocodile there and took him home with him on his boat. He decided to treat the crocodile.
Shedden went to great lengths with the crocodile, feeding him 30kg of fish and chickens every week. He also copulated at night.
In order for the crocodile to eat, he chews food with his mouth, not his teeth, kisses and hugs him. According to Shedden, a crocodile needs more love than food to restore health.
Shedden named the crocodile Pocho. Since the crocodile is a wild animal, Sheddan needed permission from the Costa Rican authorities to legally breed Pocho.
Pocho was released into a nearby river when he was well again, but when Sheddan woke up the next morning, he found the crocodile sleeping on his porch.
At that time, Sheddan decided to keep a crocodile in the water near his house, and he was also considered a member of his family.
They spent twenty years walking and playing with each other. Even the crocodile has been taught to respond to its own name.
