FORMER BASEBALL PLAYER SHARES CLOSE BOND WITH EXOTIC ANIMALS<br />WITH PIX AND VID<br />By Shuk Yee Tsang<br />A former professional baseball player has swapped bats for the animal kingdom, spending his free time bonding with exotic creatures, including a chimpanzee, clouded leopard, capybara, and giant tortoises.<br />Al Roach, 43, from New Jersey, USA, is now a professional hitting coach but also a dedicated reptile and wildlife enthusiast.<br /> He filmed himself cuddling animals such as Limbani the chimpanzee, Petra the clouded leopard, Eve the capybara, and even Galapagos tortoises.<br />In one light-hearted clip, a tortoise mistakes Al’s leg for food and tries to take a bite before quickly losing interest. Other footage shows him hugging primates, stroking big cats, and laughing as curious creatures play around him.<br />Al says that his lifelong love for animals comes from growing up in the woods and that working with them feels natural.<br />He explained: “I love all animals of all sorts as I grew up in the woods. <br />“Primates are very interesting because you never know what they are going to do next. Nothing surprises me. They’re very curious animals.<br />“Nothing challenging or scary at all. <br />"Very well cared for, and they respect humans.<br />"Redfoot tortoises really mean no harm. Once she figures out my leg isn’t food, she will stop. At least until the next day lol. They chase me down when I step in their pen because they know I have food.<br />Online, fans loved the heartwarming interactions. <br />One viewer commented: “I’ve been following Limbani since he was a baby. I still get goosebumps when he sees his original fosters.”<br />END
