Feral Children is a photo series, put together by London-based photographer Julia Fullerton-Batten, that is equal parts fearsome and fascinating.
This series consists of visual depictions of children who grew up with or were raised by wild animals. Each image is based on a true story, with 15 stories in all depicted in this photo series.
One of the children depicted in Feral Children is Oxana Malaya, who grew up with a pack of mongrel dogs in the Ukraine. When discovered, she behaved more like a dog than like a human child, running around on all fours, panting with her tongue out, baring her teeth and barking. There's also the story of Sujit Kumar, a Fijian child who was kept in a chicken coop for most of his childhood. He was found at age eight, clucking and flapping like a chicken in the middle of a road.
This photo series is truly unsettling, and does a great job conveying stories that are horrific yet fascinating.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Feral Children Photography
- Opportunity to create a niche market for photography that explores the unconventional and unsettling stories of feral children.
- Animal-human Relationships
- Potential for research and development in understanding the psychological and emotional impact of children growing up with wild animals.
- Childhood Trauma Narratives
- Demand for authentic and thought-provoking narratives that shed light on the experiences of feral children and the societal implications.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Photography
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for photographers to explore unconventional subjects and create visually impactful storytelling.
- Psychology
- Opportunity for psychologists to study the long-term effects and recovery processes of children who have experienced extreme isolation and animal rearing.
- Documentary Filmmaking
- Potential for documentary filmmakers to create captivating stories that raise awareness about feral children and contribute to conversations on child welfare.
