A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy has been found alive after spending 10 days in the jungle during Hurricane Milton after his dog led rescuers to him.
Joel del Carmen Acosta Orama from Palizada in southern Mexico disappeared from his home 10 days ago.
He was last seen playing with his dogs before disappearing into the jungle.
A search and rescue operation was launched by authorities who discovered footprints and pawprints believed to belong to the child and his pets.
However, concerns mounted when Hurricane Milton struck the area, putting the child in danger and washing away evidence being used to track him by rescuers.
In addition to this, the dense jungle is also home to crocodiles and poisonous reptiles.
However, days after he went missing on October 9, one of the dogs returned to the ranch and its tracks were followed back to Orama.
The nine-year-old was eventually located on October 11 in what police have called a “miracle.”
When he was asked how he survived in the wilderness for 10 days, he said that at night he would follow the stars.
He also revealed that he drank water from puddles and streams.
“Joel left home in the middle of a hurricane, it’s very surprising he survived,” police spokesperson Rafael Miranda Ortiz said.
“Now he will be able to face any challenge that comes his way.”
In the search for him, rescuers walked 31 miles, according to NeedToKnow.
Orama was found suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition.
Footage of the miraculous discovery showed him weakly standing barefoot with a green t-shirt and shorts.
Rescuers quickly gave him water and covered him with coats, socks, and a hat.
The boy known locally as ‘Choco’ was taken to a nearby health centre for assessment.
Hurricane Milton left at least 14 people dead with hundreds more having to be rescued from floodwaters and debris.
The 120 mph winds also left over 3.4 million people without power.
Millions were urged to evacuate their homes before it tore across the Gulf of Mexico and Florida, eventually making landfall near Florida’s Siesta Key on October 9.
The hurricane triggered numerous tornadoes as well as heavy rainfall and 28-foot waves were recorded on the Gulf Coast.
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