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.”
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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.”
