7-Year-Old Boy's Amazing Survival... Found After 5 Days in Lion-Infested Wilderness

Discovered in 5 Days at Matusadona National Park
Survived on Wild Fruits

A 7-year-old boy from Zimbabwe in East Africa became a hot topic after being found five days after getting lost in a wildlife habitat with lions and elephants.

The boy Pudu from Zimbabwe, who miraculously returned alive after five days of being missing. Photo by Motsa Murombezi, Member of Parliament of Zimbabwe X capture

On the 3rd (local time), BBC and other foreign media reported that Tino­tenda Pudu (7), a child living in northern Zimbabwe, went missing on the 27th of last month and was found on January 1st this year in Matuzadona National Park. Matuzadona National Park is a vast nature reserve spanning over 1,400 km², home to more than 40 lions as well as zebras, elephants, hippos, and antelopes.

After realizing Pudu was missing, local residents formed a joint search team with park rangers and police officers. They tried to guide Pudu toward the village by beating drums, but heavy rain delayed the search efforts. Pudu’s traces were found five days after his disappearance. The search breakthrough came when a park ranger discovered "a child’s footprints." It was reported that the location where Pudu was found was a staggering 48 km away from the village.

According to a post on social media by Zimbabwean MP Mutsa Murombezi, when the park rangers found Pudu, he was asleep on a rocky highland surrounded by roaring lions and passing elephants. He was found in a very weak condition and had to receive injections for health recovery. Pudu spent five days eating fruit and sleeping on rocks. He found drinking water by digging in the riverbed.

MP Murombezi said, "Thanks to the relentless efforts of the park rangers and residents, the child’s life was saved," adding, "It showed the power of unity, hope, prayer, and an unyielding spirit."