“Chito”, who is from and lives in Siquirres has laid claim to the most amazing and dangerous crocodile show in Costa Rica.  Every Sunday, Gilberto Shedden and his croc “Poncho” put their friendship on display for hundreds of spectators at the Hotel Las Tilapias in Siquirres on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.

Poncho is 4.5 meters long and weighs 920 pounds.  Shedden rescued him 7 years ago in the Rio Parismina.  The croc was dying from a bullet wound and Shedden brought him home and cared for him. “As time went on, I realized that he loved me. About 2 years ago I got in the water to swim with him and haven’t stopped.” This confidence, according to experts, is completely misplaced because of the dangerous nature of crocodiles.

It’s no wonder his neighbors affectionately refer to Shedden as “Crazy Chito” or “Little Tarzan”. “I am wild man, but that doesn’t mean I am crazy. For me, Poncho is part of the family and because of this, I am at peace when I swim with him. He would never hurt me, we’re friends, and I always beat him when we wrestle.”

Shedden and Poncho won second place in a Univision contest “See It to Believe It” and the video of their show has made newcasts worldwide.  In the show Shedden swims with, climbs on top of and under the croc. The croc does several tricks according to requests made by Shedden, including lifting his tail and head, rolling over and showing his teeth.
There are several crocodile tours in Costa Rica, but no one else can scratch a croc’s belly as it were a dog!