Among Wolves

At the age of 7, Marcos is given to a hermetic goatherd after his parents' neglect and abuse. He is initially frightened and aloof, living in an isolated valley with little human contact. The old man begins teaching him essential survival skills and how to care for the goats.

Despite initial coldness, Marcos and the old goatherd develop a close bond. Marcos befriends the goats, a ferret, a civet, and an owl, helping him adapt to the wilderness. The goatherd continues teaching him how to hunt, trap, and survive in nature.

The goatherd becomes ill and passes away, leaving Marcos alone in the valley. This event marks the start of his 12-year period living in seclusion with minimal human contact but forming bonds with local wolves. He begins to survive entirely on his own in the mountains.

Marcos develops close relationships with the wolves from a nearby den, integrating into the pack. During this period, he learns to hunt and survive in the wild independently, feeling increasingly at one with nature. He remains isolated for over a decade, from ages 8 to 19.

In 1965, Marcos is discovered and captured by members of Spain's Guardia Civil. After years of living alone in the mountains, he is returned to civilization at the age of 19, ending his solitary wilderness life. This marks a significant turning point in his story.

Before his capture, Marcos faces multiple threats from humans, including violent men, theft, and abandonment. After being forced to care for goats, he experiences violence, hunger, and harsh conditions, highlighting his struggle for survival from a young age.

As a teenager, Marcos encounters Atanasio, a wise old man who teaches him traditional remedies and hunting skills, including how to handle wolves. Marcos begins learning important survival lessons while forming a bond with his mentor, who dies a year later.

After Atanasio's death, Marcos tries to bury him but is unable. He continues to survive alone in the mountains, further bonding with the wolves and adapting to his solitary life. The wolf pack accepts him, and he learns to make fire again by casual means.

At 20, Marcos attempts to leave the mountains to escape his isolation, but he witnesses a shootout involving the Guardia Civil, who shoot a fugitive, Balilla. Marcos helps the wounded fugitive but is eventually caught by Ceferino, who tries to extract information.

Ceferino goes alone into the foggy night to find Balilla, but wolves attack him, confirming Marcos's lessons about wolf behavior. Marcos is tied to a horse and taken away, feeling the loss of his wolf friend as it howls goodbye.

Marcos, now 19, is taken back to society after his long isolation. His life story of survival in the wild becomes a remarkable example of resilience and connection with nature. Many years later, he is seen in Sierra Morena still accompanied by wolves and the wilderness.