A seven-year-old boy, Tinotenda Pudu, survived five days in the lion and elephant-infested Matusadona Game Park in Zimbabwe. He relied on survival skills, eating wild fruits and digging for water. After a search effort, park rangers rescued him on the fifth day, sparking social media admiration for his resilience.
A seven-year-old boy from northern Zimbabwe, Tinotenda Pudu, has miraculously survived five days in the lion-infested Matusadona Game Park. The ordeal began when Tinotenda wandered 49 km (30 miles) from his home into the park, which is home to lions, elephants, and other wildlife.
During his time in the park, the boy faced numerous challenges, including the constant threat of lions and passing elephants. He slept on rocky terrain and survived by eating wild fruits. Using his survival instincts, he also dug small wells in dry riverbeds to access water, a skill learned in the drought-prone region.
A search party, led by the local Nyaminyami community, tried to locate him by beating drums each day. However, it was park rangers who eventually rescued him. On the fifth day, Tinotenda, hearing the sound of a ranger’s car, ran toward it, narrowly missing it. Fortunately, the rangers returned, noticed his footprints, and found him after a thorough search.
The boy’s incredible resilience and survival skills have received widespread praise on social media. One user described his ordeal as “beyond human comprehension,” while another remarked on the unforgettable story he would have to share once he returns to school. This harrowing experience highlights the dangers of the Matusadona Game Park, spanning over 1,470 sq km, and the remarkable strength of the young boy.
