Eight-year-old Tinotenda Pudu, who went missing from his home in rural Kariba, has been found safe after enduring five harrowing days alone in the lion-infested Matusadonha Game Park, nestled in Mashonaland West.
The boy reportedly survived on wild fruits and water from dry riverbeds.
According to Mutsa Murombedzi, a Proportional Representation MP for Mashonaland West, Tinotenda wandered away from home and inadvertently entered the dangerous wilderness.
In a social media post, she described the ordeal: “A true miracle in the remote Kasvisva community, Nyaminyami, where a single wrong turn could lead one into the game park,” she wrote.
During his time in the park, Tinotenda traversed approximately 23 kilometers from his home, where he spent nights on a rocky outcrop, surrounded by the sounds of lions and elephants.
His brave spirit saw him harvesting Nchoomva, a wild fruit, to sustain himself, alongside techniques learned from a young age to gather water by digging a “Mufuku” (a method of extracting water from dry riverbanks).
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The young boy’s survival was a combination of resourcefulness and luck. On the fifth day, he heard the sound of park rangers’ vehicles and attempted to move toward the noise but was unable to reach them in time.
Fortunately, when the rangers retraced their route, they discovered fresh footprints that led them to Tinotenda.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the brave park rangers and the tireless Nyaminyami community who rallied together, beating drums each night to guide him home,” Murombedzi expressed. “Above all, we thank God for watching over Tinotenda and leading him back safely. This is a testament to the power of unity, hope, prayer, and never giving up.”
When found, Tinotenda was frail and had to be administered fluids via a drip to recover his strength. Murombedzi noted his impressive skills in sourcing water, crediting his survival to the techniques instilled in him by living in a region prone to drought.
“This was probably his last chance of being rescued after five days in the wilderness,” the MP stated, highlighting the bravery and dedication of those involved in the search.
