The story of Chito and Pocho is one of the most extraordinary examples of empathy ever recorded between a human and a wild animal. In 1989, Costa Rican fisherman Gilberto “Chito” Shedden discovered a massive crocodile near the Reventazón River, barely alive from a gunshot wound to the head. Most would have turned away in fear. Chito didn’t. He saw suffering—and chose compassion.
Chito carried the crocodile home and spent months nursing him back to health. He slept beside the animal, fed him by hand, spoke to him, and patiently earned his trust. The crocodile, later named Pocho, slowly recovered. When Chito finally released him back into the river, something remarkable happened: Pocho refused to leave. He followed Chito’s boat home, climbed onto his porch, and made it clear that staying was his choice.
What followed was a bond built on communication, respect, and daily commitment. Chito learned Pocho’s moods and movements; Pocho responded to Chito’s voice and touch. Their trust was so complete that they eventually performed public shows together, with Chito swimming beside Pocho, placing his head inside the crocodile’s jaws, and demonstrating a connection that defied instinct and fear. It came at a cost—Chito sacrificed time, money, and even a marriage—but he never doubted the value of that bond.
Pocho was never “tamed.” He stayed because he wanted to. That choice changed everything. For over 20 years, the two lived side by side, proving that patience and kindness can rewrite even the most ancient rules of nature.
When Pocho died in 2011, Costa Rica mourned. Chito honored him with a funeral, ensuring his story would never be forgotten. Today, Pocho’s legacy lives on as a powerful reminder: empathy carries responsibility, trust is earned, and kindness has the power to bridge even the widest divide between human and animal.