Helenice Vidigal, a Brazilian-Canadian police officer in Rondonia, said: "I knew he didn't belong to that road. Anton is a different type from us Brazilians, he stands out,"

She began efforts with the Canadian embassy to track down his family but then Pilipa escaped from a hospital he had been taken to and headed into the jungle.

Officer Vidigal said "That is the area where we talk about huge predators like crocodiles and jungle cats. We truly were afraid he could be eaten by one of those animals."

Weeks later he was found again on a highway near Manaus, and the officer found his family through social media.

Stefan Pilipa, who flew to Brazil to bring his brother back, said: "He looked really rough. His health was starting to deteriorate. We got him just in time."

Anton Pilipa told BBC Brasil he had got food and clothing from rubbish.

He said: "I know that I am very lucky to be alive. I am very happy to be able to return to my family." In 2011 Pilipa was charged with assault and weapons offences ion Canda but disappeared before he was due in court.