'I breastfeed DEER because they are like my own children': The Bishnoi mothers who use their own breast milk to rear wild fawns

Bishnoi tribe, of Rajasthan, have been worshiping nature for 550 years [CN]

俾斯诺依部落位于拉贾斯坦邦，有着长达550年的自然崇拜历史。

Believe deer are sacred, and so raise orphans like their own children[CN]

她们相信鹿是神圣的动物，像对待自己亲生孩子一样养育失去父母的麋鹿。

Locals tell MailOnline parents don't differentiate between the two[CN]

当地人告诉每日邮报，父母们对小孩麋鹿两者一视同仁。

They also claim to be able to communicate with the animals in their care[CN]

他们还声称，在他们的照料下他们能和麋鹿交流。

Family: For members of the Bishnoi tribe, animals are just as much a part of the family as their own offspring[CN]

家人：在俾斯诺依人看来，动物就像他们的孩子一样，是家庭的一部分。

The Bishnoi 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[CN]

俾斯诺依村落有2000户人家，15世纪开始就追随印度教古鲁Sri Jambeshwar Bhagwan并遵循古鲁提出的29条教规。

Bond: Ram Jeevan Bishnoi, 24, told MailOnline his parents never diferentiated between him and any fawn they took in while he was growing up - and he wouldn't have it any other way[CN]

情同手足：21岁的拉姆-吉文-俾斯诺依告诉每日邮报，在成长过程中，他的父母对待收养的麋鹿和自己一视同仁 – 他本人也不愿意和麋鹿区分开来饲养。

Belief: The Bishnoi community have followed the Hindu Guru Sri Jambeshwar Bhagwan since the 15th century and religiously obey 29 rules suggested by their Guru - including protecting animals[CN]

信仰：俾斯诺依部落自15世纪开始就追随印度教古鲁Sri Jambeshwar Bhagwan，虔诚的遵循古鲁提出的29条教规，其中包括爱护动物。

Understanding: Roshini Bishnoi told MailOnline: ‘I have grown up with these little deers. 'They’re like my brother or sister. It is our responsibility to keep them healthy and help them grow.'[CN]

体恤谅解：若士尼-俾斯诺依告诉每日邮报：“我和这些小鹿一起长大，它们就像我的兄弟姐妹，照顾它们长大是我们的责任。”

Looked after: It means they will take in orphaned fawns - believed to be a scared animal - and care for them like they would their own children, even breastfeeding the tiny creature

Like family: ‘These baby deers are my life and they’re like my own children,’ said Mangi Devi Bishnoi, 45, a housewife from one of the villages

Sat breastfeeding in the Indian sun, the woman is not just nursing her own child, but a baby orphaned fawn.

The sight may be a shock to outsiders, but here amongst the ‘Bishnoi’ tribe, animals are just as much a part of the family as their own offspring. 

Nursing mothers here in this remote region in Rajasthan, a state in northern India, have taken in orphaned and injured fawns for more than half a century - and couldn't imagine it being any other way.

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

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

'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 people of the Bishnoi community, a religious group of nature worshippers, live next to jungles and deserted areas and often grow up playing with all sorts of animals - and in fear of none.

Roshini Bishnoi, 21, a student in one of the villages, told MailOnline: ‘I have grown up with these little deers.

'They’re like my brother or sister. It is our responsibility to keep them healthy and help them grow. 

'We play with them and we communicate with each other, they understand our language.’

Neighbour Ram Jeevan Bishnoi, 24, added: ‘We do not see them as just animals. They are very much like a family member.

'We take care of everything they may need to live a healthy life. We keep them protected in our house so that dangerous animals like wild dogs do not harm them. If they’re injured we keep them safe in our house and treat them like our children. 

'My parents have never differentiated between a baby deer and me. We are one family and it is in our religion to protect them.’

The Bishnoi 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.

One is the protection and love of animals and nature. They take care of the flora, fauna and protect the animals from the summer heat or potential poachers. 

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

Ram Jeevan said: ‘We have followed this way of living for over 550 years with a lot of love and affection.

'We are 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.‘