A seven-year-old boy from Zimbabwe, Tinotenda Pudu, has been miraculously rescued after surviving five days in the perilous Matusadona National Park, an area renowned for its dense population of lions and other wildlife.
Tinotenda went missing from his village in the northwest region on December 27. A coordinated search effort involving park rangers, police, and local community members faced significant challenges due to heavy rainfall, which obscured his tracks. On December 30, human footprints were discovered within the park, leading to his rescue in the early hours of the following day.
Mutsa Murombedzi, Member of Parliament for Mashonaland West Province, described the rescue as a “true miracle.” She recounted that Tinotenda had inadvertently wandered into the treacherous terrain of Matusadona National Park. At one point, he heard the sound of a ranger’s vehicle and attempted to approach it but arrived too late. Fortunately, rangers returned to the area, spotted fresh child-sized footprints, and successfully located him.
During his ordeal, Tinotenda is believed to have traversed approximately 49 kilometers (around 30 miles) through the lion-inhabited territory. He sustained himself by consuming wild fruits and employing traditional survival techniques, such as digging small holes along dry riverbanks to access underground water—a method commonly used in drought-prone regions.
Following his rescue, Tinotenda underwent preliminary examinations at a local clinic before being transferred to a hospital for further medical evaluation. According to an update from MP Murombedzi, the boy is now resting and in stable condition. A mental health assessment is planned to ensure he has not suffered lasting trauma from the experience.
The Matusadona National Park, once home to the highest density of lions in Africa, hosts a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, zebras, hippos, and buffalo. Tinotenda’s survival amidst such dangers has been hailed as a testament to the resilience and effectiveness of community solidarity in crises.