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8-Year-Old Boy Survives 5 Days In Lion-Inhabited Game Park

January 6, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Kariba, Zimbabwe.

An 8-year-old boy from the remote Kasvisva community in Nyaminyami, rural Kariba, was found alive after spending five harrowing days lost in the perilous Matusadonha Game Park.

A boy went missing in Matusadona National Park

Tinotenda Pudu's ordeal began when he wandered away from home and lost his bearings. Unknowingly, he ventured into the vast wilderness near the Hogwe River, a tributary of the Ume River. The Matusadonha Game Park spans over 1,470 square kilometers and is home to formidable wildlife, including lions, elephants, and hippos.

For five long days, the boy survived by sleeping on rocky perches, eating wild fruits, and navigating the unforgiving terrain.

@mutsamu / X.com

The Nyaminyami community, known for their close-knit bonds, immediately rallied to search for Tinotenda. Night after night, they beat drums, hoping the rhythmic sounds would guide him back home. Their tireless efforts were complemented by the expertise of the Matusadona Africa Parks rangers, whose determination ultimately led to his rescue.

On the fifth day, Tinotenda’s sharp ears caught the sound of a ranger’s vehicle. He ran toward it but narrowly missed being spotted. Undeterred, the rangers doubled back, noticing fresh, small footprints. They scoured the area until they finally found the boy, who was tired but miraculously unharmed.

I managed to get a picture from someone in the Zambezi Valley of the nchoomva fruit that the boy was eating during his ordeal in the Matusadonha wilderness pic.twitter.com/ljnk8vRP6d

— Mutsa Murombedzi MP🇿🇼 (@mutsamu) January 2, 2025

The Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority confirmed the boy was found approximately 30 miles from home.

"Remarkably, it is estimated that he walked through the harsh terrain of the lion infested Matusadona National Park for 49 kilometers (30 miles) from his village to the point where he was found," ZimParks said. "During this period, he survived on wild fruits and would dig a small hole along the dry river bank to access underground water to drink, a technique that is well known in drought prone areas."

Social media has been flooded with praise for Tinotenda’s resilience and the extraordinary efforts of those involved in his rescue. Many have described the young boy as a “living miracle” for surviving against such overwhelming odds in a wilderness known for its dangers.

"We are overwhelmed with gratitude to the brave park rangers, the tireless Nyaminyami community, and everyone who joined the search," said Mashonaland West MP Mutsa Murombedzi. "Above all, we thank God for watching over Tinotenda and leading him back home safely. This is a testament to the power of unity, hope, prayer, and never giving up."