CauCau

José Mercedes Barnia y Nempo

As with so many other feral children, the details surrounding CauCau are confused and contradictory. However, after a considerable amount of research, Douglas Candland (author of Feral Children and Clever Animals) has pieced together the full story of CauCau, a Chilean boy who lived for some time on his own in the forest in the years leading up to 1947.

CauCau's story in brief

In 1947 Cau Cau was found in Los Riscos, 40 km away from his village, at which time he was about 12 years old, and had spent at least three years in the wild. His preference for the sausages available at one farmhouse led to the family's seeing him daily, worrying over him, and eventually calling the police. This act led to his capture, and his journey to Santiago where he is said to have been placed in an institution.

CauCau's condition

Cau Cau did not speak, and it was considered that he had no language. He walked on all fours, and climbed to a chair rather than sitting directly. He was said to walk like a chimpanzee.

CauCau's return to civilisation

This is the note that accompanied CauCau on his train journey to the Hospital San Vicente:

'The boy was found by a patrol lead by Jose Elias Fuentealba who were sent looking for the boy because a village family reported the lad's appearing daily to ask for food. His behavior suggested to the family that the boy was troubled or in trouble. They thought his animal-like behavior to be a sign of mental retardation and were worried about where the boy lived and slept. He appeared to communicate by some form of sign-language. When we found him, he had hair all over his body. We took him to jail for safe-keeping and then contacted the governor who arranged for him to go to your hospital in Santiago."