The boy went missing from his village in northwestern Zimbabwe on December 27 and was only found five days later – in the middle of the country’s lion-infested Matusadona National Park.
The national park is known for its rich fauna, including elephants, zebras, hippos, lions and buffaloes. Previously, the park had Africa’s highest density of lions. Mutsa Murombedzi, Member of Parliament for the region, describes the boy’s rescue as “a miracle”.
Got lost
According to Murombedzi, the boy had got lost and lost his orientation and then accidentally moved into the national park. At one point, he allegedly heard emergency vehicles but did not make it in time. Fortunately, the park rangers returned to the area and discovered new small footprints that led them to the boy.
The rescue effort, which involved park rangers, police and local residents, was hampered by heavy rain, making it difficult to follow the boy’s footsteps.
Ate wild fruit and drank groundwater
During his five days in the wilderness, the boy is estimated to have walked about 49 kilometers through lion-infested areas. He survived by eating wild fruit and digging small holes in dry riverbanks to get groundwater, a survival technique well known in drought-stricken areas of Zimbabwe, writes CNN.
After the rescue, he was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation. He was said to be in stable condition. His mental health will also be assessed to ensure he has not suffered long-term trauma from the experience.