Costa Rica Chito "The Crocodile Man and the famous Crocodile Poncho"

Rather than trying to tame wild stallions, fearless Costa Rican fisherman Chito prefers a playful wrestle in the water with his best pal Pocho - a deadly 17ft crocodile. The 52-year-old daredevil draws gasps of amazement from onlookers by wading chest-deep into the water, then whistling for his 980lb buddy - and giving him an affectionate hug. Crazy Chito says: "Poncho is my best friend. This is a very dangerous routine but we have a good relationship. He will look me in the eye and not attack me. It is too dangerous for anyone else to come in the water. It is only ever the two of us."
Chito made friends with the croc after finding him with a gunshot wound on the banks of the Central American state's Parismina river 20 years ago. He had been shot in the left eye by a cattle farmer and was close to death. But Chito enlisted the help of several pals to load the massive reptile into his boat. He says: "When I found Poncho in the river he was dying, so I brought him into my house. He was very skinny, weighing only around 150lb I gave him chicken and fish and medicine for six months to help him recover. I stayed by Poncho's side while he was ill, sleeping next to him at night. 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."
It took years before Chito felt that Poncho had bonded with him enough to get closer to the animal. He says: "After a decade I started to work with him. At first it was slow, slow. I played with him a bit, slowly doing more. Then I found out that when I called his name he would come over to me."
At one point during his recovery, Chito left the croc in a lake near his house. But as he turned to walk away, to his amazement Poncho got out of the water and began to follow him home. Chito recalls: "That convinced me the crocodile could be tame." But when he first fearlessly waded into the water with the giant reptile his family was so horrified they couldn't bear to watch. So instead, he took to splashing around with Poncho when they were asleep. Four years ago Chito showed some of his tricks to friends, including getting the animal to close his eyes on command, and they convinced him to go public with a show. Now he swims and plays with Poncho as well as feeding him at the lake near his home in the lowland tropical town of Sarapiqui. The odd couple have now become a major tourist attraction, with several tour operators, including Crocodile Adventures, taking visitors on touring cruises to see the pair.
On the Crocodile Adventures website it describes the spectacle as: "One of the most amazing things that no cruise ship passenger will want to miss, the adventure show between the man and the crocodile."
American crocodiles, which inhabit North, Central and South America, can live to around 70 years old. It is estimated that Poncho is around 50 - almost the same age as his owner. They are also said to be less aggressive than their Nile or Australian counterparts. Chito, whose real name is Gilberto Shedden, was given his nickname by friends, who also call him "Tarzan Tico" - Tico being a familiar word for a Costa Rican.
And he certainly plays up to the name, wearing a tattered pair of leopard-print shorts for his half-hour performances with Poncho.
A keen conservationist, he also offers boat tours, where he eagerly points out a variety of wildlife. But he only charges a few dollars to watch the breathtaking crocodile show, claiming he does not want to cash in on Poncho. He says: "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."

[@liamroberts7512]

One of the rare times that a crocodile manages to be adorable :)

[@teresahardy5895]

LMAO !!!

[@RohitSharmarohit5689]

Cause he is in front of camera

[@B77548]

No its still hideous

[@raleson1girlperday224]

Yes​@@B77548

[@Saurian25]

@@B77548 Your opinion there, white.

[@mr.gurung745]

It's like the crocodile is having a big grin all the time whn he's with him. A happy crock.

[@angeladm9681]

If youre going to watch their whole story, you will cry. A true frienship between a man and a crocodile.

[@anatojcic783]

You are right, I cried really:))

[@elykspuz6596]

I think it's grand and touching. Not tearjerking.

[@trent8002003]

When treated with kindness, even a cold blooded animal can show gratitude. More than we can say about lots of humans!

[@shwetankshekhar3329]

I see what you did there😂😂

[@joseroma2669]

Pocho had brain damage, regular crocs kill without second thoughts

[@lonewolf2150]

@@joseroma2669 pocho was shot in the head... That Changed its personality and when he was injured chito fed him.. That made him think that chito is his friend

[@benjaminkell3726]

@@joseroma2669 pretty sure its cause he fed it there are crocks in captivity that dont bite people that have no brain damage

[@irvincooks1]

You are delusional

[@Nihiliste-]

Touching story. This "Chito" guy is a really good human being.

[@Silver54ful]

Chito accomplished the impossible. With exotic mammals in captivity, handlers often use a case of "repetition and reinforcement". Positive insight (The same procedure over and over) so the animal comes to expect a positive outcome. They often will use barrier and use the tool of food. Chito took a massive risk as he used himself as the positive tool. Pocho was truly exceptional as he slowly learned to trust him. He did not feel threatened nor view Chito as a food source. It's arguable that Pocho liked the attention Chito offered him. Like a dog or cat enjoys a belly rub. Chito would shower him with cuddles. Pocho seemed to embrace it. Pocho discovered over the years that "together time" was fun. If Pocho had felt threatened or uncomfortable in any way. He would have defended himself and attacked. Many keepers of reptiles only interact if they must be moved or are in need of a vet. The animal does not gain a sense of familiarity with the handlers to realize their presence is a positive stage in the day. As such they react aggressively when someone does enter their enclosure as their instincts kick in and they believe they are in danger. Chito made it known to Pocho he never meant any harm. Only for him to relax when he was around. The evidence speaks for itself. Animals don't allow anyone into their personal space (no matter what the species) if they feel a twinge of doubt by those around them. Pocho was clearly confident that having Chito is such close proximity would be a good thing.

[@Silver54ful]

***** Animals who suffer damage to the brain are often more likely to be aggressive and impulsive then normal. The are clear indications in many of his videos Poncho was still capable of his own decision making. He chose to trust this man Chito and bond with him. If it was only instinct this man would not have lived past the first day he got in the water.

[@Silver54ful]

***** I know that Poncho was aggressive to any other person who entered his domain besides Chito's family. Chito said so himself. And there have been cases in Africa and in Central America that crocs have allowed a certain proximity between themselves and humans.And they did not have any wounds to their brains. That was a choice. Excessive damage to the brain would not allow him to make such a decision. If anything Pocho would have been far more violent and raged at anyone or anything that came near him. Incapable of distinguishing who is trustworthy and who is a threat. He was able to do so. Crocs are more resilient and intelligent then people realize. Pocho also had mood swings. He was not docile all the time. The gun shot did not impact his ability to think on his own. I have and continue top support this as a matter of repetition and reinforcement. Along with a special sensitive man and a croc who was using his full ability in awarness to make his own decisions about his environment and the all within it.

[@Silver54ful]

@Baldhina Asnake Hello there. No problem. Happy to answer what I can. But which part are you referring to?

[@Silver54ful]

@Baldhina Asnake I see. Thank you for your question. I think often detractors towards animals (especially the ones that are not considered mainstream cute and cuddly such as crocs) like to assign a single label on them. And to put it bluntly. They call them bad. Therefore they don't believe they can ever be anything more then just that. They believe they can't learn or evolve. As in all they are capable of is causing havoc to people. I argue that animals are greatly under-estimated in their abilities to absorb the world and who they encounter with individual views. Pocho was an animal who did learn to trust and respond to his human companion's affection. Granted he did not offer this to just anyone. He was wary of strangers. The fact that he took to his human handler so willingly says a great deal. But there's still so many people who will never believe animals possess intelligence and emotional capability. So any time a video like this is shown. They respond with "This is all a lie!!!" No matter the evidence presented.

[@wtfisthis7795]

THE MAN THE MYTH THE LEGEND!

[@Beaglefaust]

This amazing story is one of the only great things I've found in Internet advertising. Reptile intelligence is clearly underrated.

[@Nikolayski1337]

Mesmerizing. At the end when he feeds it, I think the crocs’ chomp is not as powerful as usual because he knows Chito well, almost as if he is suppressing his instinct. What a magical bond. Rip Pocho

[@theradster3333]

Rest in peace, Poncho

[@step7965]

this is the only man who could ever do that with an crocodile its for sure

[@SmartJok3]

Still a better love story than Twilight.

[@CoNdusTo]

I Have never seen anything more amazing... subhanAllah...

[@hamba_faqir1082]

Allah is great ful

[@fraser_mr2009]

it was brain injured. it had a strange attachment to him only, he did not allow his family near it. killer instruct still there but just not towards him. regular croc's can't be domesticated this far. there must've been a point where he said wow it isn't trying to bite me. and that's when he knew he could maybe swim with it.

[@gustavpride1081]

Allah hu Akbar...

[@Korosensei5891]

​@@gustavpride1081Allah hu FUckBar

[@Brxwn9]

@@fraser_mr2009Yes brain injury but still next to his eye so maybe frontal cortex? And u know when animals like humans and chimps get frontal cortex damage they become more sociopathic and impulsive But this crocodile maybe still had it but was more subdued

[@TheBerylknight]

Now that's impressive. That guy is all over him and he doesn't even so much as hiss at him or show any signs of aggression. I am generally skeptical about men befriending wild animals. But this looks like the real thing.

[@SomethingEtc10]

Amazing, truly a beautiful and heartwarming thing to see. This doesn’t mean everyone and anyone should try this but man. Nature is amazing to witness sometimes.

[@Jgfhujnggg23342]

It’s either “Aww” or “AHHH” for me ❤️

[@FrazzyNZ]

You can see the connection. Pocho cared for him and judging by their interactions with the play fighting. Pocho really enjoyed his company

[@Shaz-gq7pv]

Poncho had a brain injury and was conditioned to expect food. Reptiles don't have the cognitive intelligence or the emotional capability to bond people need to understand that because a lot more people have been killed by crocodiles and alligators than have ever befriended them they're magnificent animals who deserve respect and space they also deserve a healthy amount of caution snd fear and for people to stop humanising them and to see what they are large opportunist predators who will kill you with no remorse people seeing this kind of thing and trying to copy and go out and befriend a crocodile or alligator or keep one as a pet are going to get themself killed and also condemn the animal to death because if they harm a person they'll be haunted down and killed.

[@Polosatiy_Varan]

@@Shaz-gq7pv Reptiles, especially birds, crocodilians and monitor lizards, have very high cognitive abilities and high intelligence. In fact, they are superior to 99% of mammals. This is not brain damage.

[@Brxwn9]

@@Polosatiy_Varan❤❤❤ so cool

[@lanny1076]

This story..damn made me cry...

[@Sbrabson04]

I come back to these vids often. Rest in peace Poncho!

[@aenigmatica8]

May they live on forever in heaven, playing in the water. 🥲

[@sitepicaterrascas6331]

Este hombre me ha demostrado que los cocodrilos son mucho más que un voraz depredador, aquí se ve que son capaces de comprender e interecactuar con el ser humano previo sentimientos, chito salvarle la vida a poncho, esto es la prueba que tenemos muy subestimada la inteligencia de estos animales increibles

[@joseroma2669]

El cocodrilo tiene daño cerebral, estos animales no tienen la parte del cerebro que crea lazos afectivos.

[@Obscuridadperpetua]

Ve a nadar al río Nilo y me dices como te recibieron los cocodrilos con mucho mucho amor ya me imagino

[@lanny1076]

R.I.P Pocho ❤

[@CountTentacula]

For me, the thing that’s most fascinating about all this is that it happened in Costa Rica, a country that is said to be so peaceful. It has no standing armies. To think, a country that is so peaceful that there are no armies, and man and beast can swim side-by-side!

[@S....]

Thank you for the description, too often we can see some great movie and not know the awesome facts behind it :)

[@TheHoi123456]

This guy will scare even the mightiest bullies ever found. Just don't mess with him. P/s: sadly our uncle (as he is believed in his 60s) poncho the croc has died several years ago. You will be missed by everyone

[@karlmontague]

Nature constantly surprises! I think the more we learn about animals and their behaviour, the more we find similarities between all us creatures.

[@CubSATPH]

Just look Pocho the Crocodile he is very cool, happy and feel safe when is with Chito in front of stressful sights of other people

[@Trozen17]

This crocodile does have a special brain injury from being injured in its youth. A perfect vessel with amazing human interreaction

[@KiwiKiller88]

1:02 crocodile waves to crowd like a boss!

[@VeronicaPerez-hu1jc]

Yo pienso que como Poncho no va a ver Nunca ningún animal riquezas ningún humano así de agradecido y de lindo como es el su alma es única

[@143moon1]

Absolutely amazing. Beautiful actually.

[@FFVII7321]

Haha at 0:41-0:43, he's kicking his own owner with his short leg🤣

[@minokawatv7236]

How the croc moves is very amazing shows his deep interaction with the human very rare scene

[@d8456]

The croc knows its better to have that guy as friend rather than an enemy 😂

[@sydandtaytum]

thank you for posting their story in the description box. i had no idea about this story until david mentioned it on jknews. there's some really interesting and touching details in the description.

[@cassidyclark2571]

Lol me too

[@calimanzhenz]

i've seen this on Nat Geo Wild, Poncho (The crocodile) and Chito have incredible connections they can communicate each other, even when chito leave poncho, the crocodile return back to his home amazing..! sadly the crocs has died. Pocho, the “domesticated” Costa Rican crocodile that gained international attention for a weekly show he performed with owner Gilberto Sheeden, died Tuesday at Finca Las Tilapias in the Caribbean-slope town of Siquirres. Olga Valle, Sheeden’s wife, said the nearly 1,000-pound croc died a natural death at age 50. A funeral will be held for Pocho on Sunday at 1 p.m.

[@evertvanderhik5774]

All crocs look the same for me, incredible how animals recognise humans

[@arisoncavalcanti9195]

Abrazo my amigo chito yo soy Arison de Brasil yo estuve Alla en lá tilápia em Siquires

[@WilliamEF]

RIP Pocho 🐊

[@marcosavila1204]

No va ver otro cocodrillo Como Pocho que en Paz descance ese asombrozo giante gentil

[@THEPLANETEARTH]

He closed his mouth like dropping mail at a usps mail box 💀💀💀💀💀 amazing

[@politeroblox9678]

so cute but that doesnt change the fact to my phobias through crocodiles

[@Weekend658]

My stupid ass said out loud… “Don’t drop the crocodile on his head, he’s gonna drown” 😂

[@Fester_]

Accidents never happen in a perfect world.

[@jamestakenawa]

The crocodile died a while ago, there is a Snap Judgment radio interview with the guy and it tells the story of how he rescue the crock who had been shot in the head and then became his friend. There is a museum being built for this crock.

[@soybomber]

this man is a saint!

[@ryananos2115]

cocomarten six scandal

[@soybomber]

What?

[@tukaidas1272]

Saints are devil brain washed like mother teresa who kill many children dont compare my bro to them

[@osirri]

just look at it. there is no emotion in that face. just a monster. pretty cool.

[@gabrielazo4267]

Probably cause when he saved Pocho he was really young and weighed only 192 pounds and was injured and Chito brought him back to health and stayed with him since then. Just an opinion (might be some mistakes with my words just woke up)

[@elliaargent]

Crocodiles never love or care about humans, or really anything that’s just not an emotion they experience. But I think Pocho did, I think he loved Chito. Pocho was 1 in a million, he was very special and although I’ve never had a liking for crocodiles, I’m sad he’s gone.

[@maureendelrio617]

angela yes 20yrs of friendship and d crocs comeback all ever again as d time he rescue ths croco even he return to his forest home d croc will follow the human

[@Arnkh]

So, how much super glue does it take to stop a crocodile from opening it's mouth?

[@nicocruz8215]

I’m jealous! I want a pet crocodile 😅

[@fmlAllthetime]

So being cold blooded apparently affects the way animal's perceive loyalty or no?

[@SaraLovesCats88]

Aww a sweet crocodile 🐊

[@JK_82]

that croc seems to be blind...

[@yruafredo2990]

I agree but I think it was partially blind, nevertheless this man done a great deed as pocho wouldn't have lived those 20 extra years without him.

[@majone1231]

Now that's the Crocodile Hunter

[@kikiretzorg1467]

Okay this dude wins being one of the coolest guys ever Like, sure you can be a billionaire CEO or something, but like, don’t care, I’m friends with a crocodile

[@Hammern28]

I hope it does not change, like big cats go crazy on their.... " masters ". Either way, this was rather awesome! And sadly, the croc passed away same year in November. Darn!

[@daveanderson4013]

1:12 shows no matter their age they have lightning fast powerful jaws!

[@dave1824]

Amazing !

[@Tiger-nw8so]

This is an amazing

[@mizunosora]

@PoosNweez funny thing he was. But he didn't died or anything just showing him and poncho swimming and stuff and basically Fatal Attractions said he might died. However, he did. Those two still have a bond that we can't explain. Sadly, poncho died in October :/

[@juanjoyaborja.3054]

It’s like one of those Hamley’s toys has come to life!

[@PoosNweez]

this guy will be in the next Fatal Attractions episode

[@BENZ007RD]

Love You POCHO....i cant 4get you Both im ur Friend's From Philippines

[@phonsawanmuir4486]

Ohhh so lovely 🥰

[@papadem07]

The croc has eaten b4 he enters😂😂

[@IHaveNoContent6940]

I just visited these species of crocs today in costa rica .. I'd say they're a lot more docile that the Australian ones I've seen...

[@mukasasemanwagi9756]

Wooooo this guy is amazing

[@aa-ze5cz]

Well 7 fingers, a big toe, and a calf later... I have accepted that my crocodile and I do not have the same bond....

[@mitchellgreenaway8249]

I wonder if the crocodiles brain was damaged by the bullet. It sounds like he had to "teach" the crocodile to chew. The crocodile was very placid and didn't seem to have the kill instinct or aggression.

[@AdoptABundleOfJoy]

That's an AWESOME story... If it is true that is

[@soundxcrash]

WUAHH this shows that crocodiles are very smart !

[@karlmontague]

Such a cute croc!

[@courtielover]

awesome stuff, i think the croc will one day have his insticts kick in..

[@mousoulisjohn]

One truth that people try to deny for centuries...... We CAN coexist with nature !!!

[@143moon1]

He took care of Pocho for 20 years its was 60yrs old in alligator life when it passed away.

[@marceloeduartemierisch1634]

Its pocho, not poncho.

[@drisselfaiz187]

Bravo il est trop fort a des crocodiles

[@chrissmith7052]

It's only a matter of how long the possibilities are a million to one all it takes is one bite

[@rodolfo-3936]

Viendo esto, no me costaría pensar en un hipotético caso de un hombre domando un T Rex con mucho amor. Obvio que es algo absurdo e imposible por muchas razones, pero quiero que entiendas el punto al que quiero tratar

[@Numberone292]

Has the animal eaten him yet?

[@KevinLLH]

RIP poncho

[@MsDresstoimpress]

incredible!

[@fmlAllthetime]

Its just nature. We all have two sides inside us, just matters which one you feed more.

[@DanVerona89]

Did you see how fast the croc chomped when he threw the food in its mouth!? DAMN that was an incredibly fast reaction time. and he got too too close to Pocho's mouth. I think I see how he lost the thumb. Croc bites tend to leave nasty infections too so maybe thats why its a swollen stub now, anyone verify this missing thumb theory?

[@joseroma2669]

"Croc with brain damage becomes water doggo"

[@moreblack]

That croc looks so mellow, is it tranqued?

[@miaphoenix173]

Rip poco😢😢

[@Sharks6912]

Un día se le va a borrar esa sonrisa de la cara.

[@emersonssbb]

That wont happen. That Crocodile died a long time ago.

[@paccrunnaz]

Yo did he get killed by the crocodile?

[@dewbieZ]

I guess the key to owning a croc is to make sure it's never hungry, amirite :)

[@mary1976ify]

That coocodrile became the pet of the city! That man saved his life and they became friends. The pet died the last year.

[@fmlAllthetime]

My friend lizard is pretty cool with her and my fish follows my finger and responds to my voice... idk. YOU TELL ME! lol

[@edwinrenzomachacamamani5862]

Pocho🐸👍

[@dreamqore]

and our next nominee for the darwin award is.....

[@722guy]

I wonder if he is still alive

[@emersonssbb]

That Crocodile died in 2011.

[@danijelkovacic9440]

Wonderful 🥳🥳🥳👍👍👍

[@sanyamazepa2907]

Это два друга!!!!

[@PoosNweez]

@mizunosora ok, so who died? the man or the croc? or both?

[@mauldinross21]

1 10 holy molly that sound of the 3000 psi dinosaur jaws