Seven-Year-Old Boy Survives Five Days in Zimbabwe’s Lion-Infested National Park

A seven-year-old boy was miraculously found alive after being lost for five days in the lion-inhabited Matusadona National Park in northern Zimbabwe, the country’s wildlife authority reported on Friday.

The boy, identified as Tinotenda Pundu, wandered into the park from his village on December 27 and was discovered nearly 50 kilometers (30 miles) away on January 1, according to ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo.

Tinotenda survived by eating wild fruit and digging into a riverbank to access water—a survival skill commonly used in Zimbabwe’s drought-affected regions. “Remarkably, it is estimated that he walked through the harsh terrain of the lion-infested Matusadona National Park for 49 kilometers,” Farawo said.

A search operation involving rangers, locals, and police began immediately after Tinotenda was reported missing. However, heavy rain hampered efforts. His footprints were spotted on December 30, leading to his discovery early the next day.

The boy was hospitalized in a frail condition but had no visible injuries, said local lawmaker Mutsa Murombedzi. “It was a miracle that he survived,” she told AFP.

She praised the child’s resourcefulness in staying safe from predators by sleeping on elevated rocks. “He was clever enough to avoid being attacked by lions and other wildlife,” she said.

Villagers joined the search, playing drums to guide him back, but it was ultimately the rangers who ventured deep into the wilderness and found him.

Matusadona National Park, located near Lake Kariba, is known for its diverse wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo, according to its official website.