Roshan was the son of a human tribe leader. While sleeping one morning, his tribe was attacked by a pack of saber-toothed tigers. The leader of the pack, Soto, wanted Roshan as revenge for Roshan's father, Runar, who killed half the pack and used their skin as clothing and their meat as food. Roshan's mother, Nadia, was able to fend off Diego, whose mission was to retrieve him. However, she was cornered over a waterfall, and in a desperate attempt to save her son, she leapt over the waterfall, holding Roshan tightly in her arms. They were both found by Manny and Sid at the riverside, and using what little strength Nadia had left, she gave Roshan to Manfred and Sid in hopes that he would be safe with them.