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1972 and 1978 designs
Abelardo is an orange and yellow, full-bodied Muppet crocodile who served as Big Bird's equivalent on Plaza Sésamo, the Mexican co-production of Sesame Street.
Abelardo made his debut in 1972 and, along with Paco, was active on the show until 1981. Two designs of both puppets were used, the first one from 1972 and the second design after 1978.
The character had a soft, gentle voice and a very particular way of talking, making pauses after every sentence. His favorite treat were pumpkin seeds or "semillas de calabaza" which in Mexico are a very popular snack, also known as "Pepitas". He was also named as: Abelardo, la ternura de un dragon inocente (the tenderness of a innocent dragon).
In 1981, both characters were replaced by new Muppets -- a full-body bird named Montoya (later renamed "Abelardo Montoya" as an homage to this Abelardo), and a brown Grouch named Bodoque. The reason the original characters were dismissed, remains unexplained. The character made a reappearance at the 1995 grand opening of Parque Plaza Sesamo.
