A 7-year-old boy who went missing for five days in Zimbabwe’s Matusadona National Park has been found alive after an extensive search, officials said Jan. 1.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) said the child was found the day prior after walking more than 30 miles through an area known for lions.
According to Tinashe Farawo, spokesperson for ZimParks, the boy went missing on Dec. 27 in the Marindi area, also known as Manhanga. A joint search effort was immediately launched, involving ZimParks rangers, local community members, and police.
“Despite challenges posed by heavy rainfall, which disturbed the child’s footprints, our rangers persisted in their search,” Farawo stated in a post on X, sharing the ZimParks announcement.
Search teams had a breakthrough on Dec. 30 after finding footprints in the park’s Sakata Valley area. The prints helped rescue crews locate the boy in the early hours of New Year’s Eve, Farawo said.
The ZimParks announcement revealed that the boy relied on wild fruits for sustenance and used a clever technique to access water.
“He would dig a small hole along the dry river bank to access underground water to drink, a technique that is well known in drought prone areas,” ZimParks said.
After he was brought to safety, the boy was taken to a local clinic, where he was medically assessed and then transferred to Siakobvu hospital for a thorough medical evaluation.
Matusadona National Park, located in northern Zimbabwe, is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including a significant lion population.
ZimParks officials praised the collaborative effort that led to the boy’s safe return. “We commend the efforts of the rangers, community members, and the ZRP [police] in ensuring the safe return of the boy to his family. Their dedication and quick action highlight the strength of community collaboration in times of need,” the announcement reads.
Mashonaland West MP Mutsa Murombedzi identified the boy as Tinotenda Pudu.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude to the brave park rangers, the tireless Nyaminyami community who beat night drums each day to get the boy hear sound & get the direction back home & everyone who joined the search,” Murombedz said on X.
“Above all, we thank God for watching over Tinotenda and leading him back home safely. This is a testament to the power of unity, hope, prayer and never giving up,” she said.
Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in southern Africa, considers its lion population a key species in its wildlife conservation efforts. According to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, the country’s lion population is estimated at 1,700 to 2,000, with Matusadona National Park being one of the key habitats for the large cats.