How this 7-year-old boy survived five days alone in a lion-infested park

For five days, Tinotenda Pudu, a 7-year-old boy from Zimbabwe, wandered alone in one of Africa's most unforgiving landscapes, surviving against all odds. According to reports from CNN, the ordeal began on December 27, when Tinotenda disappeared from his village in northwestern Zimbabwe and unknowingly ventured into the Matusadona National Park—a sprawling, lion-infested wilderness covering nearly 570 square miles.

Representative depiction of Matusadona National ParkPhoto credit: Canva

Surviving the wild

The park, which once boasted Africa's highest lion density, is home to predators like lions and leopards, as well as massive animals like elephants and buffalo. As reported by CNN, Tinotenda survived by eating wild fruits and accessing underground water—a common survival tactic in drought-prone areas, according to Zimbabwe Parks, the country’s wildlife management authority.

In addition to the wild fruits and water he relied on, search teams used drums to try to guide Tinotenda back, demonstrating how deeply the local community rallied around this effort.

Heavy rains initially hampered the search effort, making it difficult for park rangers to find the boy’s footprints, noted the New York Post. However, on December 30, fresh tracks were discovered, ultimately leading to his rescue the next morning.

At one point, Tinotenda reportedly heard park rangers’ vehicles and ran toward the noise, missing them by moments. Fortunately, the team noticed his tracks, which allowed them to locate him.

“This was probably his last chance of being rescued after 5 days in the wilderness,” Mutsa Murombedzi, a local Member of Parliament, said in a post on X, as quoted by CNN.

Sharing her thoughts on X, Member of Parliament Mutsa Murombedzi called the rescue ‘a true miracle.’

A miraculous rescue

When Tinotenda was finally found on December 31, he was about 30 miles from his village, covered in dirt but alive. He was taken to a local clinic for a preliminary check-up and later transferred to a hospital for further evaluation. According to an update shared by Murombedzi, Tinotenda is in stable condition but will undergo mental health assessments to ensure he hasn’t suffered lasting trauma.

Representative depiction of Matusadona National ParkPhoto credit: Canva

“This is a testament to the power of unity, hope, prayer and never giving up,” Murombedzi said, according to the New York Post.

The story has captured international attention, with many praising the collective efforts of park rangers, police, and community members who refused to give up hope. Tinotenda’s extraordinary survival in a landscape teeming with danger has been described as nothing short of a miracle.

The boy’s survival has become a symbol of resilience and the power of unity in the face of overwhelming odds.