Indonesian man has been friends with a 4-meter crocodile for 26 years

According to Oddity Central (UK), Mr. Ambo, 59, a fisherman living in the Indonesian city of Bontang, East Kalimantan, has become famous throughout the media thanks to his unusual friendship with Rizka – a water crocodile. giant salty.

Rizka has been an integral part of Mr. Ambo’s life for the past 26 years. According to Ambo, he first met Rizka while sailing through the waters of the Pupuk Kaltim area about 23 years ago. When Ambo was fishing, he spotted a crocodile swimming after his boat. At that time, the crocodile was only about 1 meter long. At first, Ambo didn’t care about the animal, he continued to row the boat home. However, when he got there, he discovered that the strange crocodile had swam with him all the way. He took some food and threw it into the water and was surprised when the crocodile “happily” enjoyed it.

“I called Rizka over to give her something to eat and the alligator swam around. Rizka has been coming here ever since. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship that lasted 26 years.”

According to Ambo, if he didn’t see the crocodile in two or three days, he would give up everything to find it.

“I consider Rizka like a member of my family,” he added.

Over time, these two unlikely friends became really close. Rizka often swam close to Ambo’s boat, and didn’t leave until he stroked its back. The crocodile also comes to his house whenever it is hungry, and Ambo is happy to share his food with the animal.

“I usually feed Rizka three chickens. After being fed, it would swim away,” Ambo said. “When I left the village, I had to tell my neighbors to feed Rizka. I also had to ask my neighbors to take care of Rizka after my wife told me the crocodile had come looking for me while I was away.

Once, Mr. Ambo had to go on a business trip for about 2 years. The villagers took turns taking care of the crocodile, feeding it. As a result, the crocodile has become part of the community and people consider it as the “guardian” of the village.

Mr. Ambo said he cherished Rizka like his family. But the fisherman admitted that he was still scared when he sat next to a 4-meter-long crocodile that could literally swallow him. But because of his close friendship with Rizka, Mr. Ambo was willing to risk his life.

“Certainly I’m a little scared, but I believe humans can bond with crocodiles and other animals as if we were family to them,” the 59-year-old fisherman said.