OSE Eduardo Chaves Salas showed no fear as he stared danger in the
face while coming within inches of a 17 foot crocodile while on a
tour in Costa Rica.
THIS intrepid tour guide gives new meaning to the phrase “staring
danger in the face”.
To most of us, hand-feeding crocodiles might sound like a one-way
ticket to a watery grave.
But for Jose Eduardo Chaves Salas, 32, coming within inches of the
fearsome creatures’ razor-sharp teeth is all in a day’s work.
He runs Jose's Crocodile River Tour on the Tarcoles River in Costa
Rica, where tourists can watch him feed crocs up to 17 feet
long.
“At first it's very scary to be next to these huge creatures in
their natural habitat, but with time and practice you lose the
nerves and get used to it,” Jose said.
“When you have the experience I do, you find ways to lessen the
danger."
Jose and his team make sure they are consistent in their
interactions with the crocs, and steer clear if they are protecting
their babies or very hungry as they can be more aggressive in such
situations.
“I have never had any close calls or misses and I will keep it that
way,” Jose added.
Jose and his team slap the water with pieces of meat to create
noise and vibrations which attract the crocs, before leaving the
security of the boat to feed them from the bank.
The incredible images show just how close Jose and his team get to
the aquatic predators as they dangle hunks of chicken above their
gaping jaws.
One shot even shows a member of Jose's crew giving the thumbs-up as
he poses on the back of a live croc.
The croc whisperers are based in the town of Tarcoles, in Central
Pacific Costa Rica, around an hour’s drive from the capital of San
José where Jose was born.
Despite their terrifying reputation, the Costa Rican is keen to
dispel the idea that crocodiles are aggressive and
out-of-control.
“They are not violent or dangerous if you are knowledgeable about
them and know how to work with them," Jose said.
