Child survives five days in Zimbabwe wildlife reserve amid lions

A seven-year-old boy, Tinotenda Pundu, has been miraculously found alive after being lost for five days in Zimbabwe’s Matusadona National Park, a wildlife reserve known for its dangerous animals, including lions. Authorities confirmed the boy’s survival on Friday, describing it as a “miracle.”

Tinotenda went missing from his village on December 27, wandering into the park’s vast wilderness. He was discovered on December 31, 50 kilometers (30 miles) away, having survived by eating wild fruits and drinking water he dug from a riverbank—a survival technique common in Zimbabwe’s drought-prone areas.

According to Tinashe Farawo, a spokesperson for Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), the young boy trekked 49 kilometers through the park’s rugged and lion-infested terrain before being rescued. Search efforts were delayed due to heavy rains but intensified when his footprints were discovered on December 30.

Local MP Mutsa Murombedzi hailed Tinotenda’s survival as a “miracle,” praising the boy’s resourcefulness in sleeping on elevated rocks to avoid predators. Villagers joined the search by beating drums to guide the boy, but it was rangers who ultimately located him deep in the wilderness.

Tinotenda was rushed to a hospital, appearing frail but without any visible injuries. He is expected to recover fully. Matusadona National Park, located near Lake Kariba, is home to a variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo.