Isabella Jewell
Appearances
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Karina Chikitova was just four years old when she got lost in a bear and wolf-infested forest in the Siberian wilderness. She had been following her father, who had no idea she was behind him. The pair became separated and for the next 12 nights, Karina braved the extreme landscape alone, except for the company of her pet dog, Naida.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
She survived by eating berries, drinking water from streams and by sleeping in the long grass, curled up with Naida for warmth. It's this that led to her nickname Mowgli, the protagonist of The Jungle Book, who was separated from his human family as a baby and raised by a pack of wolves. But her dog didn't just keep Karina warm. Naida was also central to her discovery.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
After several days in the wilderness, it found its way back to their village and alerted rescuers to her rough location. When she was eventually found in the long grass, the rescuers were amazed that she was still alive. Ten years on, the now teenager appeared on Russian state's TV for an interview. She says she has no memory of her time in the wilderness, but credits neither with saving her.
Global News Podcast
The Happy Pod: Playing the piano saved my life
Over the last few years, Karina has won a child beauty pageant and joined a prestigious ballet school. When asked about her future plans, Karina says she hopes to one day become a doctor.