Fisherman, 59, Befriends a 4-Meter Crocodile for Nearly 30 Years .L
According to Oddity Central, Ambo (59 years old) is a fisherman from the city of Bontang, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia. This man has gained fame due to his unusual friendship with a giant saltwater crocodile named Rizka. For the past 26 years, Rizka has always been an integral part of Ambo’s life.
“I first encountered Rizka while traveling by boat through the Papuk Kaltim sea area 23 years ago. At that time, Rizka was about 1 meter long, so I ignored it and went home. But I noticed that the crocodile was swimming alongside me throughout the long journey. I even saw the creature near the boat, which I also named Rizka,” shared Ambo with Kompas in 2020.
“I called Rizka over to feed it something, and the crocodile started swimming around. Rizka has been here since then. I consider the crocodile as my own flesh and blood. If I don’t see it for 2-3 days, I will go looking for it,” Ambo revealed.
The special bond between Ambo and Rizka has grown stronger over time. Rizka often swims close to Ambo’s boat and doesn’t leave until Ambo spends some time stroking its back. Moreover, the crocodile even visits Ambo’s house whenever it feels hungry.
Ambo doesn’t feel bothered but rather happy to feed Rizka. “I usually give Rizka three chickens. After being fed, it will swim away. I have to rely on my neighbors to feed and take care of Rizka when I’m away, as my wife informed me that the crocodile appeared in my absence,” the 59-year-old fisherman recounted.
Ambo once left the village to work in Samarinda for 2 years. During this time, the villagers took turns taking care of the crocodile and feeding it. Since then, Rizka has become a part of the community, and everyone sees it as the “guardian” of the village.
Ambo admits that he still feels fear when sitting next to a 4-meter crocodile, which could literally swallow him. However, this man is willing to risk his own life for the friendship they share.
The Indonesian fisherman shares, “Certainly, there is fear, but I believe that humans can bond with crocodiles and other animals as if we have a family relationship with them.”
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