[imagesource:here]

A little seven-year-old boy from Zimbabwe miraculously survived being in one of the most lion-dense national parks all on his own for five days.

Tinotenda Pudu vanished from his village in the far northwest of the country on December 27, leaving his family in a state of frantic uncertainty.

After five days of anguish, a joint rescue mission—comprising park rangers, police, and local villagers—succeeded in locating him deep within the treacherous expanse of Matusadona National Park. The operation, led by Zimbabwe Parks, the nation’s parks and wildlife management authority, finally brought him back to safety.

The search for the young boy was severely hindered by relentless rainfall in the northern region, which blurred the tracks and made it nearly impossible for the rangers to spot his footprints amidst the heavy downpour. However, on December 30, a breakthrough came when footprints were finally discovered in a remote area of the park. The following morning, in the dim light of dawn, Tinotenda was found—his safe return a small triumph after a gruelling and nerve-wracking ordeal.

Image: x/@mutsamu

Mutsa Murombedzi, a member of parliament for the Mashonaland West region, which includes the national park, described the rescue as a “true miracle” in a post on X, CNN reports.

She said the child had “wandered away, lost direction, and unknowingly headed into the perilous Matusadonha Game Park.”

According to the MP, Tinotenda heard the rumble of the park rangers’ vehicle at one point and, filled with hope, tried to race toward the sound, but he was too late to reach them. Just when it seemed his chance had slipped away, the rangers returned to the area, where, amidst the wilderness, they spotted “fresh little human footprints”—the faint but vital traces that ultimately led them to the boy.

“This was probably his last chance of being rescued after 5 days in the wilderness,” Murombedzi wrote.

You have to wonder what the brave child was doing to stay hydrated and sheltered in such a treacherous place. According to the non-profit African Parks, the national park once had the highest density of lions in Africa and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, zebras, hippos, lions and buffalo.

“It is estimated that he walked through the harsh terrain of the lion infested Matusadonha 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 a small hole along the dry riverbank to access underground water to drink, a technique that is well known in drought prone areas.”

After the rescue, Tinotenda was swiftly taken to a local clinic for preliminary examinations, his condition closely monitored. He was later transferred to a hospital for a more thorough medical evaluation.

In an update shared by the MP, it was revealed that the young boy has finally been able to rest and, though physically stable, the full extent of his ordeal is yet to be determined. A mental health team is set to assess him to ensure he has not been scarred by the traumatic experience.

Jeez, hey, what a little legend.

[source:cnn]