January 3rd 2025.
A seven or eight-year-old boy named Tinotenda Pundu went missing in northern Zimbabwe on December 27. Everyone was worried for his safety, especially since he was last seen near Matusadona National Park, a reserve known for its lions and other dangerous animals. After five days of searching, Tinotenda was miraculously found alive in the park, about 30 miles away from his village.
Despite being weak and dehydrated, Tinotenda had managed to survive on his own by using skills he had learned in the drought-prone area. He dug wells with sticks to find water and ate a wild fruit called tsvanzva. He also showed remarkable intelligence by sleeping on perched rocks to protect himself from the wildlife. Local MP Mutsa Murombedzi praised Tinotenda's cleverness and resilience in the face of danger.
It was a stroke of luck that a park ranger's car passed by and Tinotenda heard it, prompting him to run towards it. Unfortunately, by the time he reached the spot, the car had already left. But thankfully, the rangers returned and noticed fresh child-sized footprints, leading them to Tinotenda. He was taken to the hospital and put on a drip to help him recover.
According to ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo, Tinotenda had walked an estimated 49 kilometers through the harsh terrain of Matusadona National Park to reach the spot where he was found. The rangers and police had launched a search for him immediately after he was reported missing, with the help of villagers who even played drums to guide Tinotenda back. It was truly a miracle that he survived for five days alone in such a dangerous place.
Tinotenda's story captured the hearts of many on social media, with one person sharing their own experience of camping in the park and encountering fierce lions. Matusadona National Park, situated near Lake Kariba, is home to a variety of wild animals, making it a challenging environment for a young boy to survive in.
This is not the first time a child has shown incredible survival skills in the wild. In 2023, a six-year-old girl with autism and no ability to speak survived three days in a Canadian forest before being found. In another incident, an eight-year-old boy was rescued after two days of being lost in the Michigan wilderness. But perhaps one of the most astonishing stories is that of four siblings, aged 13, 9, 4, and 11 months, who spent 40 days in the Amazon jungle in Columbia after their plane crashed, killing all the adults on board. It is a testament to the power of unity, hope, and never giving up, as Ms Murombedzi expressed her gratitude towards the brave park rangers who helped save Tinotenda's life.
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