Most of us have never heard about them, but feral children exist among us. Feral children are individuals who have grown up in extraordinary circumstances, with no parents or any humans to guide them. They lack the usual education, affection, and social connections that most people experience, making it uncertain if they will ever fully integrate into society. From being raised by wild animals to enduring the torment of parental confinement, the stories of these kids are haunting to say the least. Join us as we delve into the untold stories of the real feral children, where resilience clashes with a world that lacked the nurturing support they needed.
Oxana's Parents Weren't Around and She Was Found Living With Dogs
In the landscapes of Ukraine, a sad tale unfolds, revealing the reality of Oxana Malaya's life. Born in November 1983, she was discovered at eight, living among a pack of dogs. Her parents, unable to care for her, left her to fend for herself in an impoverished area teeming with wild canines. As she grew up, the line between human and animal blurred, and she found refuge in the companionship of her four-legged friends.
Her tale captivated the globe and left people wondering how she could survive in conditions in which most would assume you could not survive. How did she do it?
She Went From Barking to Talking After Rigorous Therapy
Oxana's journey took a dramatic turn when she was rescued and placed under the care of social services. Removed from her parent's home, she found herself in foster care tailored for children with mental disabilities. The years spent living among dogs had deeply influenced her behavior, as she walked on all fours, barked, and mimicked their way of life. Yet, through therapy and specialized education, progress emerged. Over time, Oxana managed to tame her animalistic tendencies, learning to communicate fluently and integrate into society.
Today, she has found solace on a farm, devoting herself to the care of animals, and has even found love, marking a remarkable triumph over her challenging past. But other feral children weren't as lucky, as you will soon find out.
The Human Amphibian's Tragic Fate
Ramachandra, also known as the Human Amphibian, remains an enigmatic figure whose existence continues to bewilder. Born in India around 1960, he emerged from the shadows of the wild in 1973, only to be captured in 1979 at the age of nearly 20. Ramachandra possessed an uncanny affinity with water, reminiscent of an amphibian. Even after his reintegration into society, his peculiarities persisted. So much so that it eventually led to his death.
Struggling to conform to societal norms, he encountered a woman in 1982, perhaps seeking a connection. Unaware of social boundaries, his advances scared her, and she scalded him with boiling water, ending his life.
Ivan Lived With Dogs for Two Years on the Streets of Russia
In a remarkable story that unfolded in 1996, Ivan Mishukov, only four years old at the time, escaped his abusive family and sought refuge on the streets of Russia. There, he formed an unlikely connection with a pack of stray dogs, sharing food and earning their trust as their pack leader. For two challenging years, Ivan embraced this canine existence. But at the age of six, his life took a new turn.
He was rescued off the streets, placed in a children's home, and was young enough to recover quickly. He could shed the dog-like behaviors he had adopted and master language skills. Were there more like him?
Zanziman Ellie Would Run Away to the Forest and Mimic Apes
In a secluded Rwandan village, a mysterious figure known as Zanziman Ellie roams the land. Born in 1999 to a hopeful mother, Ellie was different from the start. Unable to speak, he struggled to fit into the world of words and human connections. As he grew older, his yearning for freedom intensified, leading him to escape into the depths of the forest repeatedly. He would eat whatever he found in nature for all of his meals.
However, his unconventional behavior triggered fear and misunderstanding among the villagers, who viewed him as an outsider and a feral child.
Kamala and Amala Were Raised by Wolves
In a remote area of India, two extraordinary girls, Kamala and Amala, were discovered in a peculiar circumstance. Found near an abandoned ant hill, they had supposedly been raised by a pack of wolves. An Anglican missionary, Reverend Joseph Amrito Lal Singh, claimed to have encountered these feral children firsthand. Kamala, the older sister at eight years old, and Amala, just two, displayed striking characteristics resembling the wolves they had grown with.
Their eyes glowed with a blue hue, their jaws were malformed, and their canine teeth elongated. They hardly ever fully reintegrated into society and eventually died of infections.
The Wild Girl of Champagne Living in the Woods in France
Marie-Angélique Memmie Le Blanc was a feral child who astonished 18th-century France. She was left alone at a young age and learned to survive in the wild, relying on branches, leaves, birds, fish, and frogs for sustenance. Her capture revealed a skill for skinning and consuming rabbits, while her huge thumbs hinted at her tree-swinging and root-digging abilities. It seems stories of feral children date back as far as 200 hundred years ago.
During a hunting expedition with royal figures, she displayed breathtaking speed, outrunning even rabbits, and possessed perfect eyesight, something people had never seen before.
The Lost Boy Raised by Monkeys in the Ugandan Jungle
In 1985, NRA soldiers stumbled upon a sight in the depths of Uganda's jungle. There, among the towering trees, they found six-year-old Robert Mayanja, living in the company of monkeys. It remains a mystery how he ended up abandoned in the wild, but the tragic truth unfolded. His parents, victims of war, passed when he was just three years old. The monkeys became his family, teaching him their ways of survival as he adopted their mannerisms and communication.
Rescued from his feral existence, Robert was thrust into a world he barely understood. Though he could never entirely escape his primal instincts, he received care and therapy, learning some semblance of a normal life.
Dina Sanichar Thought He Was a Wolf
When the topic of feral children arises, the mind ventures into the realm of those nurtured by the wild. Amidst their ranks stands Dina Sanichar, a boy whose early years were shaped by the embrace of wolves in the depths of the Uttar Pradesh jungle in India. These creatures became his only family, leading him to adopt their identity as his own. Despite his different physical appearance, Dina's young mind couldn't comprehend the distinction, firmly believing he was one of them.
Yet, destiny had a different plan in store when a group of hunters stumbled upon him at the age of six.
He Would Howl and Eat Raw Meat
The hunters killed the mother wolf to get to Dina, but he couldn't speak or communicate like an average human, so the hunters had no idea how much she meant to him. So he was taken to an orphanage to be rehabilitated. However, being feral is something most people don't know how to deal with, especially in those times. He would howl, bark, and run around on his legs and arms as if he was a wolf himself.
Apparently, it wasn't easy to get him to eat as well. He would only accept raw meat and wouldn't eat anything else the orphanage offered him.
Dina Sanichar's Struggle to Become Human
Teaching a child raised by wolves how to live like a human was no easy feat. Dina's early years with the wolves profoundly shaped his development, making teaching him the basics of human behavior challenging. Missionaries tried to teach him sign language, but it didn't seem to work. Dina couldn't understand that his hand was different from a wolf's paw, so pointing gestures were lost on him. However, he would make small improvements that gave people hope.
However, he eventually learned to walk upright, wear clothing, and consume meals from a plate. Though he progressed, he eventually caught tuberculosis and died from the disease.
Madina Was Raised by Dogs and Could Only Bark
Madina's early childhood was very sad. Her father left her at a young age and her mother was unfit to care for her, only prioritizing her own needs over her daughter's well-being. Discovered by social workers, Madina was found living amidst dogs, naked and emulating their behaviors. Her parent's actions left Madina with limited language skills, only able to utter a few words and growl like the dogs she sought comfort from.
Despite the challenging circumstances, medical professionals note that Madina displays resilience, both mentally and physically. Her story serves as a reminder of the human spirit's ability to endure and overcome adversity, offering hope for her future.
Genie Wiley Was Locked in a Room Her Whole Childhood
Genie Wiley's childhood was defined by confinement and cruelty. For 13 hard years, her father subjected her to a life of captivity and neglect. Genie's development was severely stunted, locked away in a room resembling a prison cell. Strapped to a toddler toilet or immobilized in a crib, she was deprived of movement and freedom. Genie's formative years were so unimaginable that it left many confused about how she could grow in that environment.
If she attempted to make any noise, her father would yell or hit her to ensure she was quiet. How could she ever recover from that?
The Accidental Discovery of Genie Wiley's Reality
An unexpected turn of events exposed the harrowing truth behind Genie Wiley's secluded existence. As her mother, desperate for financial support, ventured into Temple City to apply for disability benefits, she unknowingly stumbled into the wrong building — social services. There, the officials were confronted with the shocking sight of Genie, an emaciated teenager who had endured abuse. The discovery sent shockwaves through the community and triggered a swift response from authorities.
Genie's parents were swiftly arrested, and she became a ward of the court. This chance encounter in an unsuspecting place would forever alter the course of Genie's life.
The Story of Genie Wiley's Escape
He treated her like a dog, growling and baring his teeth at her, leaving her terrified of canines. Tragically, her older sister died due to their father's actions. Genie was deprived of social interaction and language development, confined to a world of silence, and unfairly treated. After those hard 13 years, her mother finally decided to escape. She took Genie with her and hoped she could find solace with her grandparents.
Although this move ultimately saved Genie's life, the damage was already done. What happened next just contributed to her disturbing life.
Genie Wiley's Journey From Experiment to Elusive Existence
Genie Wiley's life took another turn when scientists saw her as a unique opportunity to study the effects of extreme isolation on development. She was subjected to rigorous experiments, living with most of the scientists involved in the research. The ethics of their actions were questioned, leading to a lawsuit that ended the research. Genie then experienced a series of foster homes before finally being reconnected with her birth mother.
Today, she reportedly lives in state care and communicates primarily through sign language, her voice stifled by the echoes of her troubled past.
Marina Chapman Was Kidnapped and Left in the Forest, Living With Monkeys
Marina Chapman endured a troubled childhood filled with extraordinary circumstances. At the age of five, she was forcibly taken from her South American village and abandoned in the jungle. There, she lived alongside a family of capuchin monkeys, learning their survival techniques. Remarkably, one elderly monkey even cared for her when she fell ill. Eventually, hunters discovered Marina, but her time in the wild had erased her ability to communicate.
Her journey continued through unfortunate encounters, including being sold to a brothel and later enslaved by a mafia family. However, she found salvation when a kind neighbor rescued her.
Marina Was Able to Overcome Her Childhood and Started Her Own Family
Eventually, she regained her communication skills, and her future seemed brighter. A glimmer of hope emerged when the neighbor's daughter, Maria, stepped in and adopted Chapman when she was around 14 years old. She was able to conquer her demons from the past and grow into a well-rounded individual. Eventually, she moved to England, got married, and had kids of her own. From a childhood of neglect to a happy life!
Marina's journey serves as a reminder that not all feral children are destined for tragedy. These stories highlight the resilience and potential for growth within feral children.
The Leopard Boy Who Refused to Be Captured
There is a tale of a young boy known as the Leopard Boy. Living with his parents near Assam, a leopardess snatched the young boy away in 1912. After three long years, he reemerged, running swiftly on all fours with unnatural swiftness, surpassing even adult speed. The boy's knees displayed hardened calluses, his toes positioned at an unusual angle, and his hands and feet covered in tough, leathery skin.
Resisting capture, he fiercely bit and scratched anyone who dared approach him. Though this was back in the 1920s, no one knows what happened to the boy.
Sujit Kumar Was Locked in a Chicken Coop as a Child
Sujit Kumar, forever known as the Chicken Boy, endured a rough childhood. When he was young, he was very dysfunctional. His parent's solution was to lock him in a chicken coop with other chickens! Tragedy struck when his father was killed, and his mother committed suicide. His grandfather gained custody, but it was too late by this point. He had spent so much time in the coop that he fully mimicked chicken, clucking and pecking at food.
He was eventually taken to a facility where for an unimaginable 22 years, he had been tied to a bed, considered too difficult to manage. However, a compassionate woman rescued him and has cared for him since.
The Boy Who Lived With Monkeys
In the lush landscapes of Uganda, an extraordinary discovery took place in 1991. Milly Sebba, a humble villager collecting firewood, stumbled upon a young boy accompanied by a troop of monkeys. Overwhelmed by the encounter, Milly rushed back to her village, seeking assistance. With combined efforts, they managed to catch the boy and take him out of the wild. This boy, named John Ssebunya, looked like he was living in the wild and had strange behaviors.
His nails were overgrown, he was unfamiliar with civilized habits, and his knees were bleached pale from perpetual crawling. He eventually learned to walk and behave like most of society and even joined a choir.
Marcos Rodríguez Pantoja, a Once Feral Child Turned Pastor
Marcos Rodríguez Pantoja's early life was marked by adversity and resilience. Tragedy struck when his mother died during childbirth, leaving him without her love and guidance. His father's remarriage led to mistreatment by his stepmother, and at the tender age of seven, he was sold into slavery to a goat herder. But fate took another turn when the herder passed away, leaving Marcos alone in the wilderness. For years, he forged an unlikely bond with a pack of wolves, learning their ways and means of survival.
In a twist of fortune, Marcos was eventually rescued by the Civil Guard and placed in a hospital, where dedicated nuns taught him the basics of human life. He assimilated into society and became a pastor.
The Tragic Story of Victor, The Feral Child
Victor, known as the Wild Boy of Aveyron, was discovered in the forests of southern France in the late 18th century. At around 12 years old, he had deep scars covering his body and could not speak. Researchers and scientists flocked to study him, hoping to unlock the secrets of his wild upbringing. They subjected him to harsh experiments, like exposing him naked to the freezing snow, in an attempt to understand his tolerance for cold weather.
Despite their efforts, Victor remained untamed and resistant to human ways. He spent the rest of his life in a Paris institution, isolated from the world, until his untimely death at 40 years old.
The Girl Who Went Missing and Grew up Among Bears
In 1937, George Maranz shared an account of his visit to a mental asylum in Bursa, Turkey. During his stay, he came face to face with an extraordinary figure known as the Bear Girl. She was believed to have spent considerable time living among bears before being captured. Her appearance, mannerisms, and even her voice seemed to bear resemblance to these wild creatures. Although, of course, she was just a young girl.
The Bear Girl found herself confined in the asylum due to her refusal to consume cooked food and her preference for solitude in the darkest corners of her assigned room.
The Feral Child Who Allegedly Emerged From a Lake
In the stories surrounding Hany Istók, a peculiar child emerges from the depths of Hungary's Lake Király-tó. In 1749, fishermen discovered him wearing nothing and living in the wild. Istók's thick, scaly skin, webbed fingers and toes, and abundant body hair gave him an otherworldly appearance. Rumors spread that he could even catch fish underwater because of his time spent in the wild. He was eventually captured and baptized.
He never learned to speak, instead communicating through animal-like sounds. He was shunned and mistreated by villagers and endured a rough life without ever fully integrating into society.
The Boy Who Was Raised Among Birds
Prava, known as the Bird Boy, lived in an apartment teeming with birds alongside his mother. Their home resembled a birdcage, with chirps echoing through every room. He was rescued by healthcare workers in 2008 at the age of seven, liberating him from this peculiar existence. Though not physically harmful, his mother also treated him as a bird, never speaking to him. He would only chirp and flail his arms around, believing he was one of them.
Even after his rescue, these bird-like behaviors persisted, leaving a lasting mark on his journey to reconcile his human self with his childhood as a feral child.
No One Had Seen a Feral Child Like Wild Peter Before
In the depths of the German wilderness, Wild Peter emerged as a mysterious figure in 1724. Seized at the age of twelve, he was a sight to behold, naked, with a wild mane of black hair and a feral gaze. Peter had survived on plants alone. He couldn't speak and was scared by the sight of eating bread! People were so fascinated by him that they took him to England to be studied.
Gradually he adapted and began eating new foods and even managed to utter two phrases: "King George" and "Peter."
Shamdeo Was Found in the Wild of India and Never Learned to Talk
Within the depths of India's wilderness, a tale of darkness unfolded in 1972. Shamdeo, a feral child, emerged from the forest's grasp at the tender age of four. He had tangled hair and sharpened teeth. He would play with wolf cups and crawl around and was even believed to like the taste of blood. Locals found him and took him to a nearby village, where they tried to break his feral habits.
He never learned how to speak and was sent to Mother Teresa’s Home for the Destitute and Dying. Though he learned some sign language, he never fully recovered.
Kaspar Hauser Known as the Feral Child of Nuremberg
Kaspar Hauser, a mysterious figure who emerged disheveled and untamed on the streets of Nuremberg, Germany. Picture this: it was the fateful month of May in 1828 when this being appeared, his clothes were ragged, and he looked wild. Hauser's unkempt appearance hinted at a feral upbringing. He wouldn't eat anything but bread and couldn't speak, read or write. Eventually, the dark truth would be revealed, and we would understand what happened to him.
Apparently, he was held in captivity and was left alone his whole life, only being fed bread to hardly keep him alive. He was attacked and killed, but a statue in his honor was erected.
Tippi Didn't Have a Normal Childhood
Tippi Degré, born in June 1990 to French photographers Sylvie Robert and Alain Degré, embarked on an extraordinary journey reminiscent of Mowgli's legend. Immersed in the vibrant landscapes of Windhoek, Namibia, Tippi's upbringing defied conventional norms. Named after the iconic actress Tippi Hedren, she forged unlikely friendships with not only birds but also majestic elephants, stealthy leopards, slithering snakes, menacing crocodiles, and an array of mesmerizing reptiles. Though her parents weren't abusive, she lived in the wild.
A true fusion of human and nature, Tippi's childhood cast a surreal shadow, where the line between civilization and the wild blurred.
Tippi's Parents Liked Living in the Wilderness and She Interacted With Mainly Animals
In the early years of her life, Tippi had the rare privilege of roaming freely in the wild, with no boundaries to confine her. Guided by her adventurous spirit, she immersed herself in the company of wild animals, insects, and reptiles, embracing them as her playmates. They described the enchantment of their wilderness existence, where it was just the three of them, surrounded by nature's wonders and few human encounters.
But how could this affect a young girl's growing brain and socialization skills? She was fine with animals but what about people?
People Wondered if Tippi Would Lack in Intellectual Abilities
Tippi effortlessly adapted to life in the African bush, taking everything in her stride. Her main concern each day was safeguarding her bottle from mischievous monkeys. When it came to nap time, she slept in a loincloth and kept a large knife nearby in case any unwelcome visitors appeared. Tippi possessed a remarkable instinct for the wild creatures around her. Tippi's development was also exceptional, with her motor skills surpassing expectations.
Her mother, Sylvie, vividly recalled instances when Tippi would excitedly point out elephants munching on palm trees, urging her mother to stay quiet so as not to startle them.
Tippi's Unorthodox Childhood Was Perceived as Neglect
Despite her unwavering fearlessness, Tippi strongly understood danger from a remarkably young age. While most children her age only had to worry about basic safety precautions, Tippi navigated many potential hazards in her environment. Her parents diligently instilled in her a healthy awareness of the perils surrounding her and taught her essential survival skills from the very beginning of her life. Tippi's childhood was a delicate balance between caution and empowerment.
She grew up in a world where danger lurked at every turn. Though this worried people that her parents were being dangerous and neglectful.
Tippi, the Feral Child, and Her Extraordinary Bond With Wild Creatures
Remarkably, amidst her daily encounters with elephants, lions, leopards, and snakes, Tippi remained unscathed save for a single bite. Strangely, it wasn't the predators that posed a threat. There was an encounter with a mischievous Meerkat, leaving a mark on Tippi's nose. Another incident unfolded when jealous Cindy the baboon yanked out a handful of her hair. Nonetheless, Tippi possessed a rare talent; she believed she could talk to the animals.
As a feral child of the wild, Tippi's ability to communicate effortlessly with animals showcased the untamed spirit within her, bridging the gap between the human and animal realms.
Embracing the Dark Beauty of Tippi's Childhood in the African Bush
In a world where caution prevails, this daring couple defied societal norms and granted their daughter a childhood beyond imagination. Despite the mark left by a Meerkat's bite, Sylvie and Alain harbor no remorse for their unconventional choice. To them, the allure of the untamed wilderness far surpassed the constraints of urban living. Although it was not conventional, her parents truly believed they were doing the best thing for her.
In the wild, Tippi's feral essence actually thrived. Maybe the key is to have the balance of living in the wild with loving parents as well.