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Friday, January 21, 2011

And they lived snappily ever after: Fisherman and 17ft crocodile best friend form unlikely tourist attraction

This daredevil fisherman loves nothing better than dicing with death as he grapples with a 17ft crocodile.

But Chito - known as Tarzan Tico - is not moments away from becoming a meal, he's just having a playful tussle with his best mate, Pocho.

The 53-year-old Costa Rican crocodile wrestler wades chest deep into the murky waters as 500 spectators look on in nervous anticipation.

Scaling back: Chito and his best friend Pocho wrestle as part of their act in Las Tilapias, Costa Rica

Scaling back: Chito and his best friend Pocho wrestle as part of their act in Las Tilapias, Costa Rica

No crocodile tears here: The pair have a playful tussle in the water, despite the 17ft crocodile towering over his human buddy

No crocodile tears here: The pair have a playful tussle in the water, despite the 17ft crocodile towering over his human buddy

As Chito, wearing a leopard skin sash and a headband, taps the surface of the water and calls out to his friend, the 990lb reptile dramatically emerges from below to applause from the crowd.

The performer then rolls Pocho on to his back, pushing his head under the water before tenderly kissing him on the nose.

The extraordinary display is more than just a tourist trap, but a demonstration of a remarkable friendship.

Chito rescued Pocho from the Parismina river after he discovered him with a bullet lodged in his head.

The crocodile was close to death but he nursed the reptile back to health over six months at his home.

Making a splash: Chito rescued Pocho after finding him badly injured after he had been shot in the head

Making a splash: Chito rescued Pocho after finding him badly injured after he had been shot in the head

Open wide: But the 990lbs crocodile refused to leave his side after he tried to return him to the wild

Open wide: But the 990lbs crocodile refused to leave his side after he tried to return him to the wild

But when he tried to set him free, the crocodile refused to leave his side.

He then decided to stage a show after tourists began visiting him to see his bizarre friend.

Tourist Adam Smith took these photos while on holiday at Las Tilapias, in Costa Rica, where the duo perform.

He said: 'During the show Chito waded out into the chest-high water and began to tap the surface calling out "Pocho, Pocho, Pocho".

'Suddenly, the 17ft crocodile emerged from below and Chito disappeared under the water for a few seconds as the crowd waited in silence.

'Then, Chito lifted the croc from below and emerged from the water with Pocho's head on top of his as the crowd cheered.

'To end the show, Chito climbed on top of the croc as if to give him a big hug.'

Must be in the (cold) blood: The pair have since formed an unlikely double act for shows of 500 tourists a time

Must be in the (cold) blood: The pair have since formed an unlikely double act for shows of 500 tourists a time

The 37-year-old business analyst, from Minnesota, America, added: 'At first I thought this guy must be crazy to get in the water with a croc that big, despite their friendship.

'After a few stunts, you couldn't help but get the feeling that there really was some sort of connection between the two as the croc never showed any signs of aggression.'

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