Mothers breastfeeding wild fawns along with their own children

Mothers breastfeeding wild fawns along with their own children. Women in the tribe consider animals just as part of the family.

For more than half a century, mothers in the Bishnoi tribe in Rajasthan India have been breastfeeding wild fawns along with their own children.

Mangi Devi Bishnoi, 45, a housewife from one of the villages said these baby deer are my life and they’re like my own children.

Women in the tribe consider animals just as much a part of the family as their own offspring.

Women feed them milk and food and ensure they’re given proper care and attention in the house like all family members.

The Bishnoi tribe takes in orphaned and injured fawns which would otherwise not be able to survive on their own.

“They are not orphans when they have us around, they have new mothers like me who offer them a mother’s feed for a healthy life.”

The community, which comprises of around 2,000 homes, have followed the Hindu Guru Sri Jambeshwar Bhagwan since the 15th century and religiously obey 29 rules suggested by their Guru.

Mothers breastfeeding wild fawns along with their own children.

One of them is protection and love of animals and nature.

The deer is believed to be a sacred animal of the community and is given special attention.

Mothers breastfeeding wild fawns along with their own children.

“We have followed this way of living for over 550 years with a lot of love and affection.

Another local, Ram Jeevan, 24, said. My parents have never differentiated between a baby deer and me.

We are one family and it is in our religion to protect them. And very protective of our animals, especially the babies.

We are helping them. Feeding them is what they need. We are very proud of what we do,” he added.