Miraculous survival of 3 year old 'Mowgli' boy lost in taiga for 72 hours

The young boy survived by eating his own supply of chocolate, and his good sense finding a dry makeshift bed under a larch tree. His rescue was personally announced by the head of Tuva Republic, Sholban Kara-Ool, who blogged: 'Hurray! Little Tserin has been found alive! 

'They discovered him earlier this morning after a search in the taiga some 3 kilometres from the village of Khut.'

A huge search had been launched for the boy who disappeared after playing with dogs near his family home in the forests of Piy-Khemsky district. He may have followed a young puppy into the woodland despite the watchful eye of his great grandmother - who was in charge of him when he was lost.

More than 100 people including Russian Emergency Ministry's rescuers, police, volunteers, as well as close and distant family members joined the frantic hunt. A helicopter over flew a search area of some 120 square km.

Regional emergencies' chief Ayas Saryglar said: 'Of course, the situation was very dangerous. The River Mynas is fast and cold. If a small child fell in, it would be certain death. 

'There are wolves, and bears in the forest. The bears are now fattening for the winter. They can attack anything that moves. In addition, it is warm during the day, but at night there are even frosts. If we consider that the kid disappeared during the day, he was not properly dressed - only a shirt and shoes, no coat.'

Regional head Sholban Kara-Ool explained:  'He recognised his uncle's voice calling his name, and called back. Once his uncle hugged him, the little boy asked if his toy car was okay. He said that he had some chocolate which he ate during the first day. 

'Then he found a dry place under a larch tree and slept there between the roots. The whole village is throwing a party to celebrate his survival. He was given the second name of Mowgli.

'It is now predicted he will become a rescuer himself, because he showed incredible stamina for his age by surviving for so long alone in these cold woods.' 

Searches had gone on day and night. His home village Khut has a population of around 400. There are 63 houses, and locals all joined together to hunt for the missing child. 

Doctors say he has suffered no serious damage from his ordeal.

His father serves in the army, and most of his family were gathering in the last hay in the fields when he vanished.