The appearance of Hobanrang, the 'real-life Tarzan,' who lived in the jungle for over 40 years. / Photo by The Sun
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Hovanrang, the "real-life Tarzan" who lived isolated in the Vietnamese jungle for 41 years without any knowledge of the existence of women, passed away from liver cancer 8 years after returning to civilized society.
According to The Sun and local Vietnamese media on the 9th (local time), Rang first encountered civilization in 2013 and lived with it, but later suffered from insomnia and homesickness for the jungle, passing away at the age of 52.
During the Vietnam War, Rang's father, Hovan Tan, a soldier, fled with his two sons into the jungle in 1972 to escape American airstrikes. Mentally unstable from the shock of the war, Tan took his sons deeper into the forest and settled in the jungle in Quang Ngai province. They lived separated from civilization, gathering fruits and honey or hunting for food, and building shelters until they were discovered by local authorities in 2013.
Photographer Alvaro Cerezo heard about them in 2015 and met the three men deep in the jungle. At the time of discovery, Rang was wearing clothes made from tree bark and, despite being over forty, was unaware of the existence of women. Rang caused a sensation by saying, "My father never explained anything about women."
Photographer Cerezo said about Rang, "He did not know the fundamental differences between women and men," and explained, "Rang seemed to have no sexual desire and showed no interest in women." He added, "Rang is the purest person I have ever met."
The appearance of Hobanrang, the 'real-life Tarzan,' who lived in the jungle for over 40 years. / Photo by The Sun
Meanwhile, after returning to civilized society, Rang complained of insomnia and headaches and pleaded to be allowed to return to the jungle. However, the Vietnamese government settled Rang and his family in a village, citing the jungle's dangers.
Longing for the jungle, Hovanrang eventually built a solitary hut at the edge of the village's mountain foothills, but from November last year, he complained of chest and abdominal pain and was diagnosed with liver cancer.
Rang passed away on the 5th, with his family bidding their final farewell.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
