A young boy has been found alive five days after going missing in a “lion-infested” game park in Zimbabwe, officials have said.
Tinotenda Pudu, seven, went missing from his home in a rural community on 27 December and “unknowingly headed into the perilous Matusadona game park,” a Zimbabwean MP stated.
A search operation was launched and footprints were discovered in a valley on 30 December – with the boy miraculously being found a day later.
He survived his ordeal by eating wild fruits and sleeping on a rocky perch “amidst roaring lions [and] passing elephants” in the “unforgiving wild”, Mutsa Murombedzi MP said.
Labelling Tinotenda’s survival “a true miracle”, the MP wrote in a post on X: “We are overwhelmed with gratitude to the brave park rangers, the tireless Nyaminyami community who beat night drums each day to get the boy hear sound & get the direction back home & everyone who joined the search.
“Above all, we thank God for watching over Tinotenda and leading him back home safely. This is a testament to the power of unity, hope, prayer and never giving up.”
Matusadona, in north Zimbabwe, is home to about 40 lions, as well as elephants, zebras and crocodiles, according to Africa Geographic.
A spokesperson for Zimparks, the country’s parks and wildlife authority, added: “Remarkably, it is estimated that he walked through the harsh terrain of the lion-infested Matusadona National Park for 49km from his village to the point where he was found.
“During this period, he survived on wild fruits and would dig a small hole along the dry riverbank to access underground water to drink, a technique that is well known in drought prone areas.”
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While the MP initially described Tinotenda as being eight years old, the park spokesperson later said he is seven.
After being found, Tinotenda was taken to a local clinic and hospital for medical checks.
“We commend the efforts of the rangers, community members, and the [Zimbabwe Republic Police] in ensuring the safe return of the boy to his family,” the ZimParks spokesperson added in a post on X.
“Their dedication and quick action highlight the strength of community collaboration in times of need.”