Throughout history, there have been astonishing cases of feral children—young ones who, due to abandonment or extraordinary circumstances, were raised by animals instead of humans. These children adapted to their wild environments, often exhibiting animal-like behaviors, such as walking on all fours, communicating through sounds rather than speech, and developing heightened survival instincts. While some were later discovered and rehabilitated, reintegrating into human society proved challenging. Their stories offer a fascinating yet heartbreaking glimpse into the resilience of the human spirit and the profound impact of early childhood experiences on development and identity.
Ukrainian Dog Girl
One of the most well-known cases of a feral child is that of Oxana Malaya, often referred to as the “Ukrainian Dog Girl.” Born in 1983, Oxana was abandoned by her alcoholic parents at just three years old and left to survive in a kennel with dogs. For about five years, she lived among them, adopting canine behaviors such as walking on all fours, barking, and even eating raw meat. When she was discovered at age eight, she struggled with human communication. Although later rehabilitated, Oxana’s case remains a shocking example of extreme neglect and the impact of isolation.
Cambodian Jungle Girl
The Cambodian Jungle Girl, Rochom P’ngieng, was discovered in 2007 after allegedly living in the jungle for 19 years. She went missing as an 8-year-old while herding water buffalo near the Cambodian-Vietnamese border. A villager later found her naked and scavenging for food, crawling on all fours. Her family identified her through a childhood scar, but reintegration into society proved difficult—she struggled with speech, hygiene, and social interactions. Over the years, Rochom attempted to return to the wild multiple times, raising questions about her true past and whether she had actually lived alone in the jungle for so long.