How 7-year-old boy survived 5 days in lion-infested park

A 7-year-old Zimbabwean boy, Tinotenda Pudu, has been rescued after spending five days alone in the Matusadona National Park.

The park is a vast wilderness teeming with lions, elephants, and other deadly wildlife.

According to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), Tinotenda wandered 49 kilometers (30 miles) from his home in northern Zimbabwe into the game park, where he relied on his survival instincts and skills to stay alive.

“He ate wild fruits and used a stick to dig shallow wells in dry riverbeds for water. This is a critical lesson for those living in drought-prone regions,” said ZimParks spokesperson in an interview monitored by Diaspora Digital Media.

Community members launched a search party for him, using drum beats to help guide Tinotenda home.

However, it was park rangers who ultimately found him after spotting small footprints near their patrol route.

MP Mutsa Murombedzi, who shared the story on social media, said Tinotenda was discovered after running toward a ranger’s vehicle, narrowly avoiding being missed. “This was likely his last chance,” she wrote.

The Matusadona National Park spans over 1,470 square kilometers (570 square miles) and is home to roughly 40 lions, elephants, hippos, and other wildlife.

Once boasting one of Africa’s highest densities of lions, the park is a perilous place for any human, let alone a young child.

The boy was immediately admitted to a nearby hospital.

Mr. Mutsa Murombedzi, a legislator, hailed the boy’s survival as a miracle.

“He was clever enough to sleep on perched rocks, keeping himself out of reach of lions and other wildlife,” she told newsmen.

Tinotenda’s survival has been hailed as a “wonder” on social media, with many praising his bravery and resourcefulness.

“His survival is nothing short of a miracle,” wrote one commenter, while another added, “He’ll have quite the story to tell his classmates.”

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