In 2022, a young French traveler named Laurent set out on an ambitious journey across Africa. His plan was simple: explore the wild landscapes, meet new people, and collect stories worth telling. With a backpack, a camera, and an open heart, he crossed deserts, savannas, and lush river valleys.

One afternoon, while walking along the bank of a wide river, Laurent noticed a pair of eyes glinting above the water’s surface. A massive crocodile emerged, its gaze fixed on him. At first, Laurent thought it would slip back into the water, but instead, the reptile began to follow him.

What started as a cautious retreat turned into a relentless chase. For three days, Laurent trekked through thick vegetation, crossed streams, and climbed rocky slopes, always aware of the crocodile’s presence just behind him. It was a strange pursuit — the predator never attacked outright, but never gave up either.

On the third day, exhausted and determined to end the chase, Laurent stopped on a sandy riverbank. The crocodile approached, and a tense standoff began. Then came the clash — man and beast circling, testing each other’s strength and resolve. Laurent dodged powerful lunges, while the crocodile twisted and snapped, the air thick with splashes and dust.

But something unexpected happened. In the middle of the struggle, they locked eyes. Laurent saw not just a hunter, but a creature of resilience and solitude. The crocodile, in turn, seemed to recognize the human’s courage. The fight slowed, then stopped.
From that moment, they were no longer enemies. Laurent began feeding the crocodile fish, and the reptile allowed him to rest nearby without fear. By the end of his trip, Laurent couldn’t imagine leaving his new companion behind. With the help of locals and a mountain of paperwork, he arranged for the crocodile to travel with him to France.

Back in Paris, the crocodile settled into Laurent’s apartment, just a short walk from the Eiffel Tower. Tourists often stopped in disbelief, seeing the great reptile basking in the sunlight by the window. The story of the Frenchman and his African crocodile spread quickly — a tale of a chase that became a battle, and a battle that became a friendship.

in the photo:
– fighting a crocodile in Africa in July 2022
– Laurent with a crocodile in Paris in May 2023