Surviving alone in the wilderness is a daunting challenge for even the most experienced adventurers. For a child, it’s almost unimaginable.
Yet, seven-year-old Tinotenda Pudu from Zimbabwe defied the odds when he went missing for five days in Matusadona National Park, a wildlife reserve teeming with lions, buffalo, and other dangerous animals.
A Child Disappears
On 27 December 2024, Tinotenda wandered away from his small village in northwestern Zimbabwe and ended up in the wide, dangerous Matusadona National Park without realizing it.
When his family realized he was missing, they quickly alerted everyone, starting a large search with help from villagers, police, and park rangers.
The heavy rain made it tough to track him, washing away the footprints he left behind.
Survival Skills Put to the Test
Tinotenda relied on survival skills he likely learned from growing up in an area that often faces droughts to make it through his five days in the wilderness.
He survived by eating wild fruits and digging small holes in dry riverbeds to find water, a trick that’s often used in rural Zimbabwe.
CNN reported that the young boy walked about 49 kilometers (30 miles) through rough land, filled with lions, elephants, and buffalo. Despite the constant dangers around him, Tinotenda somehow managed to stay alive until help finally found him.
The Miracle Rescue
On 30 December, the searchers found fresh footprints near a riverbank, giving everyone a new sense of hope. Early the next morning, the rangers followed the trail and finally found Tinotenda alive, though very weak.
Mutsa Murombedzi, the Member of Parliament for Mashonaland West, described the rescue as a “miracle.” She shared updates on her X account, mentioning that Tinotenda was frail and needed an IV drip to help him regain strength.
Safe and Recovering
After his rescue, Tinotenda was initially taken to a local clinic for basic care before being transferred to a hospital for a more thorough evaluation.
Updates from the MP confirm that he is now in stable condition and resting.
A mental health team is also working with him to ensure he recovers emotionally from the ordeal.
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
Missing 6-Year-Old Girl From JB Found 300KM Away After 3 Days of Disappearance
Wife Spots Missing Husband with Dementia on TV After Nearly Three Days Missing
Dead Man’s Eye Found Missing at Hospital in India; Doctor Suggests Rats Ate It
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