The Jungle Book isn't entirely fictional.
Throughout history, there have been rare occasions where a child was raised by animals. Some stories go so far back to almost be considered legends, like in 1303 when a German boy was discovered living among wolves. But there are recent cases, like in 2009, when a 14-year-old boy was found in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan being raised by sheep.
Here are some fascinating and strange stories of children who were raised as one of the pack.
1
Hessian Wolf Boy
In 1303, a boy in Hesse, Germany, was apparently taken by wolves at age 3 and found when he was 7 or 8 by Benedictine monks. He was later sent to the court of Prince Henry and became accustomed to human society, but said he preferred the wolves.
2
Andrei Tolstyk
A boy raised by dogs in a remote part of Siberia from the age of three months to 7 years old, eventually found in 2004.
3
The Sheep Boy
In 2009, a 14-year-old boy was found in Kyrgyzstan living in a sheep flock. He was raised by sheep for 8 years, and was then taken in by his grandmother.
4
The Bamberg boy raised by cattle
In the late 16th century, a boy was found in the mountains of Germany apparently living among wild cattle. He was later brought to the Prince of Bamberg's court.
5
The Andes Goat Boy
Discovered in 1990, Daniel lived in the wild for about 8 years. He was discovered in the mountains of Peru and was raised by goats. He walked and ran on all fours with the mountain goats.
6
Danish Bear Boy
In 1619, a 14 or 15-year-old Danish boy was found to have been living with bears in a wooded area. He later learned to speak but claimed to have no memory of his time with the bears
7
Marina Chapman, raised by monkeys
A Colombian woman who claims to have lived with capuchin monkeys from age 5 to 9 after a kidnapping. She later reintegrated into society.
8
Dina Sanichar
He was discovered among wolves in a cave in Uttar Pradesh, India, in 1872 at the age of 6.
9
Ivan Mishukov, leader of a pack of dogs
In 1998, four-year-old Ivan fled an abusive home and lived with a pack of stray dogs for two years, eventually becoming their leader.
10
Oxana Malaya, raised by wolves
Born in 1984 in Ukraine, Oxana was neglected by her parents and lived in a kennel with dogs from age 3 to 8, adopting canine behaviors.
11
John Ssebunya, lived among vervet monkeys
After his father murdered his mother, John fled his home at age 3 and lived with vervet monkeys for several years before being rescued in 1991.
