A rooster named Martín has spent eight years outside a cancer hospital in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, after his owner arrived there for treatment and later died, in a story that echoes the film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale.
Martín’s story attracted renewed attention on 21 October 2026, when Reuters published new photographs of the rooster at the Eastern Cancer Institute in Santa Cruz, reports ADN Noticias.
According to a report published by local news outlet Red Uno in May 2026, Martín arrived near the Oncology Hospital of Santa Cruz with his owner eight years ago.
The man entered the medical facility for cancer treatment but never returned. Since then, Martín has remained in the area, drawing the attention of people who visit or work at the hospital.
Over the years, his story has become familiar to hospital staff and others who spend time in the surrounding area.
Although it remains unclear whether Martín consciously waits for his owner’s return, his continued presence has touched those who know his story.
Hospital workers and people who work or run businesses nearby have helped Martín survive by feeding and protecting him over the years.
According to accounts published by Red Uno, the rooster often approaches people who offer him food. He has developed a particular liking for pipoca, the Bolivian term for popcorn.
Martín also finds shelter on his own when it rains and roams freely around the hospital’s outdoor areas.
People familiar with him say catching or removing him is not easy, allowing the rooster to continue living around the medical centre.
Reuters’ photographs, released on 21 October 2026, show Martín still in the same surroundings eight years after his arrival.
His story has since reached audiences beyond Bolivia, highlighting the enduring bond between humans and animals and the kindness of those who continue to care for him.
