Boy, 8, found after missing for 5 days in 'unforgiving wild' in Zimbabwean game park

​​​​​​​By Jeffrey Moyo

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AA) - An eight-year-old boy is home safe Thursday after he went missing for five days in the dangerous Matusadonha Game Park in Zimbabwe.

Mashonaland West Proportional Representation legislator Mutsa Murombedzi said Tinotenda Pudu wandered from his home Dec. 28 and unknowingly went into the dangerous game park.

“A true miracle in remote Kasvisva community, Nyaminyami in rural Kariba, a community where one wrong turn could easily lead into a game park. 8-year-old Tinotenda Pudu wandered away, lost direction and unknowingly headed into the perilous Matusadonha game park,” she said on X on Monday.

“After 5 long, harrowing days in the jungle near Hogwe River, which feeds into Ume River, the boy has been found alive by the incredible rangers from Matusadona Africa Parks. His ordeal, wandering 23km (14 miles) from home, sleeping on a rocky perch, amidst roaring lions, passing elephants, eating wild fruits and just the unforgiving wild is too much for an 8-year-old.

“We are overwhelmed with gratitude to the brave park rangers, the tireless Nyaminyami community who beat night drums each day to get the boy here sound and get the direction back home and everyone who joined the search. 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,” added the legislator.

The lawmaker said Tinotenda was frail when he was discovered by rangers.