Seven-Year-Old Boy Rescued After Five Days In Lion-Infested Zimbabwean National Park

 A seven-year-old boy in Zimbabwe was rescued after spending five days in the lion-infested Matusadona National Park. Tinotenda Pudu went missing from his village in the country’s northwest on December 27 and was found alive on December 31 after an extensive search effort involving park rangers, police, and the local community, according to Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

The rescue operation faced significant challenges, including heavy rainfall in the region, which made it difficult to track the boy’s movements. On December 30, searchers discovered small footprints in a section of the park, and Tinotenda was located early the following morning.

Mutsa Murombedzi, a member of parliament for Mashonaland West, which encompasses the national park, called the rescue a “true miracle” in a post on X. She explained that Tinotenda had wandered away from his village, lost his way, and unknowingly ventured deep into the dangerous game park.

At one point during the ordeal, Tinotenda reportedly heard a ranger vehicle and tried to approach it but arrived too late. Fortunately, the search team returned to the area and spotted “fresh little human footprints,” which eventually led them to the boy.

“This was probably his last chance of being rescued after five days in the wilderness,” Murombedzi stated.

Matusadona National Park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, and buffalo. The park once boasted one of the highest densities of lions in Africa, according to conservation organizations.

Tinotenda is believed to have walked approximately 49 kilometers (30 miles) through the harsh terrain, relying on wild fruits and groundwater for survival.

“It is estimated that he walked through the lion-infested Matusadona National Park for 49 kilometers from his village to the point where he was found,” Zimbabwe Parks said in a statement. “During this period, he survived on wild fruits and would dig small holes along dry riverbanks to access underground water, a survival technique known in drought-prone areas.”

After his rescue, Tinotenda was taken to a local clinic for preliminary examinations before being transferred to a hospital for further medical evaluation.

In an update, Murombedzi confirmed that Tinotenda is in stable condition after resting. He is set to undergo assessment by a mental health team to ensure he has not experienced lasting trauma from his ordeal.