Eight-Year-Old Boy Survives Alone in Lion-Infested Park for Five Days

Eight-year-old Tinotenda Pudu survived a harrowing five days in the Matusadona Game Park, using his resourcefulness to eat wild fruits and dig for water, ultimately rescued by park rangers after a grassroots search effort.

 

An eight-year-old boy named Tinotenda Pudu has remarkably been rescued after surviving five days alone in a wildlife park teeming with dangerous animals, including lions and elephants. The incident unfolded in Matusadona Game Park in northern Zimbabwe, with local MP Mutsa Murombedzi sharing the news on X. Tinotenda, having wandered 14 miles (23 km) from his home, found himself in a daunting situation filled with perilous wildlife.

During his time in the park, he adeptly used survival skills he had learned, seeking refuge by sleeping on rocky surfaces and consuming wild fruits. His resourcefulness extended to digging makeshift wells in dry riverbeds to access drinking water, a beneficial skill in the drought-prone region.

The local community, realizing he was missing, initiated a search to locate Tinotenda, beating drums daily in hopes he would hear them and return home. Ultimately, it was the dedication of park rangers who successfully located him. On the fifth day of his ordeal, Tinotenda was alerted by the sound of a ranger's vehicle and attempted to reach them, narrowly missing the opportunity until the rangers spotted his fresh footprints and continued their search until they found him.

The park, which spans over 1,470 square kilometers (570 square miles) and hosts a variety of wildlife, including a population of around 40 lions, presented a formidable backdrop for the boy's survival story. Social media has erupted with support and admiration for Tinotenda, with users celebrating his resilience and looking forward to the extraordinary story he will share upon returning to school.