A 7-year-old boy, Tinotenda Pudu, was found after going missing in Zimbabwe’s Matusadona National Park for five days. The boy had wandered away from his village in the northwest of the country and was eventually found in the early hours of January 1. The search for the boy was hindered by heavy rainfall in the area, which made it difficult for park rangers and police to spot his footprints.
The boy was found after footprints were discovered in an area of the park, and he was located by rangers who had come back to the area to search for him. Tinotenda was found in a stable condition and was taken to a local clinic for preliminary examinations, before being moved to a hospital for further evaluation.
In total, the boy is thought to have walked 49 kilometers (around 30 miles) of lion-infested terrain during his ordeal, surviving on wild fruit and groundwater. He used a technique known to people living in drought-prone areas to dig holes in the dry riverbank to access underground water. The national park was once home to the highest density of lions in Africa and is known for its diverse wildlife, including elephants, zebras, hippos, lions, and buffalo.
Mutsa Murombedzi, the member of parliament for the region, described the rescue as a “true miracle” and said that the boy’s survival is a testament to his resilience. An update posted by the MP stated that the young boy has rested and is in stable condition, and will be assessed by a mental health team to ensure he has not suffered any lasting trauma as a result of his ordeal.
