HARARE, Zimbabwe, Jan 4: A young boy has been found alive after surviving an incredible five-day ordeal in Matusadona Game Park, a wildlife reserve in northern Zimbabwe known for its lions and elephants.

Tinotenda Pudu, who had wandered 49 km (30 miles) away from home, was discovered by park rangers after spending five days in the perilous game park, Mashonaland West MP Mutsa Murombedzi shared on X. Tinotenda, who was originally reported to be eight years old but later confirmed to be seven, endured this harrowing experience by sleeping on rocky outcrops, surrounded by roaring lions and passing elephants, and surviving on wild fruits.

The Matusadona Game Park, which is home to around 40 lions, is notorious for having one of the highest lion population densities in Africa, according to African Parks. Despite the danger, Tinotenda used his survival skills and knowledge of the wild to stay alive. His ingenuity included digging small wells in dry riverbeds with a stick to access water, a technique taught to children in the drought-prone region.

As Tinotenda spent days in the wild, the local Nyaminyami community initiated a search, beating drums daily in hopes of guiding him back. However, it was the park rangers who eventually found him. On the fifth day, Tinotenda heard the sound of a ranger's car and rushed toward it, narrowly missing it. Fortunately, the rangers returned later, noticed "fresh little human footprints," and continued their search until they finally found him.

"This was probably his last chance of being rescued after five days in the wilderness," Murombedzi said.

Matusadona Park spans over 1,470 sq km (570 sq miles) and is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, zebras, hippos, and lions. Tinotenda’s remarkable survival story has captured the public’s imagination, with many praising his resilience.

"His story is beyond human comprehension," wrote one user on social media, while another added, "He’s going to have one hell of a story to tell when he gets back to school."