It sounds like something out of a fairy tale or a wild animal documentary, but the story of a boy who was raised by a leopard from birth to adulthood is all too real. In a remarkable tale that has captured the attention of people around the world, a young boy in India was taken in by a female leopard when he was just a baby, and he lived with the animal until he was rescued at the age of eight.

The story begins in 1977, when a group of hunters in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh killed a female leopard. When they approached the animal’s den, they were stunned to find a human baby inside. The baby, who was later named Sanjay, was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors were amazed to find that he had been living with the leopard for months.

As it turns out, the leopard had taken Sanjay in as her own after he was abandoned by his parents. She cared for him as if he were one of her cubs, grooming him and cuddling with him for warmth. Sanjay lived with the leopard in her den, learning to crawl and walk alongside her cubs. He even learned to communicate with her through a series of growls and purrs.

When Sanjay was eight years old, forest officials learned of his existence and decided to intervene. They tranquilized the leopard and took Sanjay away, much to his distress. He was taken to a children’s home, where he struggled to adapt to life with other children and the strict rules of the institution.

When Sanjay was eight years old, forest officials learned of his existence and decided to intervene. They tranquilized the leopard and took Sanjay away, much to his distress. He was taken to a children’s home, where he struggled to adapt to life with other children and the strict rules of the institution.