Young boy survives 5 days in ‘lion-infested’ African game park after wandering from home

In a separate statement shared Friday, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) confirmed the rescue, but said the boy was 7 years old and that he had wandered 49 kilometers (30 miles) from his village “through the harsh terrain of the lion infested” game park to the point where he was located.

ZimParks said the boy vanished on Dec. 27 and that a search operation began immediately after they received the report that he was missing.

The agency said it ran into trouble during the search mission because of heavy rain that was washing away the boy’s footprints.

On Dec. 30, ZimParks said footprints were located in the Sakata Valley area of Matusadona National Park. They found the boy the next day.

ZimParks said the boy was first taken to a local clinic, then a hospital for medical evaluation after the ordeal.

Murombedzi shared an update on the boy’s condition Saturday. She said medical officials told her the boy has rested and is stable, but is awaiting an evaluation from a mental health team to ensure he will not suffer lasting trauma.

“Above all, we thank God for watching over Tinotenda and leading him back home safely,” Murombedzi said in her Wednesday post. “This is a testament to the power of unity, hope, prayer and never giving up.”