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

Joanna and Chip Gaines
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images

HGTV Stars Respond To Backlash From Christian Fans For Casting Same-Sex Couple In Their New Series

Back in 2016, home renovation and lifestyle power couple Joanna and Chip Gaines faced accusations of anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry. The criticism stemmed from their attendance at a Waco, Texas church that preached against LGBTQ+ equality and basic human rights.

At the time, the couple owned and operated Magnolia Homes, a remodeling and design business in Waco, Texas, and their HGTV program Fixer Upper was a hit. After the show ended in 2018, the couple created their own Magnolia Network in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery in 2020 to create original content and air other home and lifestyle programs.

Keep ReadingShow less
screenshots from video of JD Vance at Disneyland
@janekleeb/X

JD Vance Called Out For Hypocrisy As He Visits Disneyland With His Family Amid Boos

On Saturday, one-time vehement Trump critic turned MAGA Republican convert Vice President JD Vance went on vacation to Disneyland in blue state California, despite Disney World in red state Florida being closer to Washington D.C. and in the middle of MAGA territory.

The administration of MAGA Republican President Donald Trump is currently engaged in a face-off with California over occupying forces sent by Trump to Los Angeles, which is about 50 miles from Anaheim where Disneyland is located, making Vance's choice even more questionable.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump; Joe Biden
Mandel Ngan/Pool/Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Joe Biden Calls Out 'Liar' Trump Over His Claims About Biden's Use Of Autopen For Pardons

Speaking to The New York Times, former President Joe Biden called President Donald Trump a "liar" over claims that Biden's pardons are "void" because they were done by autopen, a conspiracy theory heavily promoted by Republicans who've already suggested many times that Biden was not mentally fit while in office.

In the final hours of his presidency, Biden issued a series of preemptive pardons, including ones for his relatives, all members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 attack—such as former Congresswoman Liz Cheney—and several of Trump’s most prominent adversaries, including General Mark Milley and Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nancy Mace
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Rep. Nancy Mace Gets Brutal Reminder On X After She Tried To Praise Trump For 'Rebuilding' The U.S.

South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace was fact-checked by an X Community Note after she tried to praise President Donald Trump for "rebuilding" the country, when she herself voted against President Biden's 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

The IIJA authorized $1.2 trillion in funding and the increased federal spending in recent years has improved U.S. ports, roads, parks, and other services in a country that civil engineers have long said spends too little on infrastructure.

Keep ReadingShow less
black Lamborghini parked in front of a boutique
Danilo Capece on Unsplash

Surprising Things Poor People Learned When Dating Someone Rich

There are life lessons learned through adversity. Some of them are actual survival skills while others are about managing expectations and disappointment.

But some people face very few hardships in their lives due to the power of money.

Keep ReadingShow less