A young boy who went missing in a rainforest reserve in northern Zimbabwe has survived for five days by eating fruit and finding water. Tinotenda Pundu, an 8-year-old from the Kasvisva community, was found around 30 miles away from his village in Matusadona National Park. He had wandered away on December 27 and got lost.
Tinotenda used sticks to dig into a riverbank for water and ate wild fruits, including tsvanzva. His ordeal involved sleeping on a rocky perch amidst roaring lions and passing elephants. The boy’s story is a testament to the power of survival skills and community support.
According to local parliamentarian P Mutsa Murombedzi, Tinotenda wandered away from his village and unknowingly headed into the perilous national park. After five long days in the jungle, he was found alive by brave park rangers from Matusadona Africa Parks. The boy’s 23-kilometer journey from home took him through a dense rainforest filled with dangerous animals.
Murombedzi expressed gratitude to the park rangers, the Nyaminyami community, and everyone who joined the search for Tinotenda. He thanked God for watching over the boy and leading him back home safely, crediting unity, hope, prayer, and perseverance in the rescue effort.
Source: https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/how-an-8-year-old-boy-survived-for-5-days-in-zimbabwes-dangerous-lion-filled-reserve-7398728