Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Man Who Was Raised by Wolves Admits Disappointment in Living Among Humans

Man Who Was Raised by Wolves Admits Disappointment in Living Among Humans
BBC News/YouTube

Many people in the world are disappointed with some aspect of human life, but few have ever experienced an alternative. Marcos Rodriguez Pantoja is the rare exception. In 1965, he was discovered living in a cave with a pack of wolves. He had already lived with them for 12 years when he was finally brought back into human civilization. Sadly, while his life hasn't turned out all that bad, he believes his happiest memories were in the wild.


Pantoja's story is straight out of "The Jungle Book."

When his mother died while he was still a small child, his father sold him to a farmer who lived in Spain's Sierra Mountains. Pantoja's new caretaker passed away when he was about 6 or 7 years old (one tends to lose track of time when living in a cave), leaving the small boy to fend for himself in the wilderness.

Marcos befriended the wolves of the area, who learned to come when he howled for them, and mastered many animal sounds while gathering, hunting, and fishing to stay alive. It was 12 years before the Spanish Civil Guard captured him and took him to a convent to re-learn the rules of society.

Now 72 years old, Pantoja has lived among humans for most of his life.

He's found a supportive home in the small Spanish town of Rante. However, Marcos told the publication El Pais that life among humans has been largely disappointing. He feels he has been "cheated and abused, exploited by bosses in the hospitality and construction industries." Though he feels accepted by his neighbors, he finds it difficult to connect with other humans:

I think they laugh at me because I don't know about politics or soccer.

Pantoja has even tried to return to his old family.

But, sadly, there's no going back to what once was. He's no longer recognized by the wolves as a member of their family:

You can tell that they are right there, you hear them panting, it gives you goosebumps … but it's not that easy to see them. There are wolves and if I call out to them they are going to respond, but they are not going to approach me. I smell like people, I wear cologne.

Where his old cave used to be, there are now "human cottages and electric gates."

His current home lacks sufficient heating, and getting through the winter is particularly difficult.

Amig@s das Arbores, a Spanish environmental group, is currently raising money to improve his living situation. The group regularly invites him to speak with children about "his experiences and the importance of caring for the world around us." A representative from Amig@s das Arbores told El Pais:

It's amazing how he enthralls the children with his life experience.

More from News/environment

Stephen Falco
WISH-TV/YouTube

Indiana Church Doubles Down After Telling LGBTQ+ People To Kill Themselves Or Face Death Penalty

An Indiana Baptist church is under fire for telling LGBTQ+ people to kill themselves, just as Christ would have done.

Sure Foundation Baptist Church in Indianapolis caused an uproar after a sermon in which church member Stephen Falco recommended LGBTQ+ commit suicide—and if they don't, the Trump Administration should execute them.

Keep ReadingShow less
screenshot of KSAT ABC 12 news anchors  and Stephania Jimenez

Texas News Anchor Slams Noem And Abbott For Using Flood Press Conference To Praise Each Other

KSAT ABC 12 News anchor Stephania Jimenez called out the priorities of federal and state officials during disasters live on air on Saturday.

Jiminez spoke out after a fifth news conference that was supposed to be about the deadly flash flooding west of San Antonio began with yet another mutual admiration society performance by Department of Homeland Security head Kristi Noem, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott, and nearly everyone else behind the microphones.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Mike Johnson
Fox News Sunday

Mike Johnson Blasted After Claiming All Congress Can Do After Texas Floods Is 'Pray'

House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing angry criticism after he appeared on Fox News to remark on the deadly flooding in Texas that has killed hundreds, claiming that all Congress "knows to do at this moment is pray" in response to the disaster.

Speaking during the ongoing search and rescue operations, Johnson spoke as the people of Texas continue to raise mounting questions about the effectiveness of current warning systems and whether more could have been done in advance to prevent the loss of life.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump; Elon Musk
Omar Havana/Getty Images; Allison Robbert/AFP via Getty Image

Trump Lashes Out After 'Train Wreck' Elon Musk Announces He's Creating New Political Party

President Donald Trump attacked his former ally Elon Musk in a post on Truth Social after the tech billionaire announced over the weekend that he's creating a new political party called the "America Party" amid their ongoing feud.

Musk has made clear that he vehemently opposes the president's One Big Beautiful Bill—and will work to unseat any Republicans who've supported it, saying they've "voted for the biggest debt increase in history." He founded the new political party on July 5, the day after Trump signed the legislation, which adds roughly $3.3 trillion to the national debt.

Keep ReadingShow less
Black and white photo of a server dressed in all black peering through a window.
Photo by Ian Taylor on Unsplash

Restaurant Servers Describe The Worst Dates They've Ever Witnessed

I have been a waiter on and off for many years.

The things I've seen!

Keep ReadingShow less