ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg man has trained squirrels and birds in North Shore Park to answer when he calls their names, while handing out peanuts during his daily afternoon walk.

• Man has trained squirrels and birds in North Shore Park
• Tony Witlin has trained squirrels and birds in North Shore Park to answer when he calls their names
•  Began walking the park and feeding the squirrels more than a dozen years ago

“I learned that all the birds are trainable as were the squirrels,” said Tony Witlin, 70. “The squirrels were bright enough to be name trained to a specific name.”

Witlin begins his walk with peanut stuffed pockets near the Snell Isle Bridge, heads south through North Shore Park and ends at Vinoy Park. 

He has named most of the squirrels based on their location along his walk. "Park dogs" live in trees on the grassy side of the sidewalk, while "beach dogs" live in palm trees along the Tampa Bay shore.

“You know why this one’s Oscar? Well, Sesame Street and the trash can,” said Witlin. “Here, Bad Face. He got bitten by a dog and he has scars on his face.”

Witlin said he can recognize all the squirrels in the park and has given a few individuals specific names.

“Barry, Barry, brothers wake up,” he shouts. “Come here, Harry. Come here, Louise.”

Witlin said he moved to St. Petersburg in 1996. He began walking the park and feeding the squirrels more than a dozen years ago, after he was injured and could no longer run.

“I used to run this every day and then I had my hip replaced. Had to give up running," he said. "I started walking and I saw a couple of older gentleman... feeding the squirrels.”

Witlin has since become quite a squirrel enthusiast.

"They’re about as bright as dogs... they live like wolves," he said. "They live in the trees, in what looks like a leaf nest."

Witlin said he spends $50 on 50 pounds of generic peanuts every two months. The man with a special connection to nature said the squirrels were originally put into parks for people to feed.

“In the late 1800’s, city’s put parks in to keep the working class satisfied," he said. "To attract them to the parks they put squirrels in the parks. So, it would be something for them to do. Feed the squirrels."

Witlin said he knows most people's initially think he's crazy when they see him shouting, "ibis, woodpecker, dopey, bozo, bad crow and worse crow," it usually turns to amazement.

“I think it’s absolutely beautiful,” said park visitor Bill Jimenez. “They just love the guy. Why do they love him? Because he cares for them and he feeds them... That’s what nature is all about.” 

Witlin works from home as a day trader, which gives him the flexibility to walk the park.

“You know what’s amazing?" he said. "Unless, I’m in the hospital, I never miss a day.” 

Witlin said he hasn't retired because he wants to keep making money for charities.

“Part of the reason I work is to give money to animal and ecologic and humanitarian charges," he said. "I give to 50 charities.” 

Witlin said one of the reasons he named the creatures in the park was because it makes his walk more enjoyable.

“It just makes it more fun," he said. “I make all these creatures happy and a lot of days I make 20 people smile.”