A man from China recently made headlines after surviving alone in the jungle for 70 days with no external help and walked away with a cash prize worth 100,000 yuan (around RM59,000).
Survived with only basic tools
33-year-old Yang Dongdong was one of 100 contestants who joined the Qixing Mountain Cup Jungle Survival Challenge held in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, which was organised by outdoor clubs and a local tourism company.
According to South China Morning Post, each person was only given a bamboo stick and a knife before being sent into the forest, where they had to survive without supplies.
During the challenge, Yang used materials around him like dry grass, vines, bamboo and rocks to build a shelter.
Upon entering the forest, Yang built a shelter using grass, vines, and rocks. He also made ropes using his own clothes and traps to catch rats and insects as a source of food.
On top of that, he also crafted bamboo baskets to catch fish and crabs, and searched for wild herbs and fruit to supplement his diet.
“When food is scarce, anxiety sets in, but I had to ensure I got the right balance of protein and vitamins,” Yang recounted, as reported by Jimu News.
Yang added the cold nights, constant rain, slippery ground, and encounters with snakes made survival even harder, especially when temperatures dropped below 10°C.
When he was declared the winner on Sept 22, Yang was sitting by the fire and shouted: “I have made it through!”
Lost 15kg but remained healthy
Yang lost more than 15kg throughout the challenge but doctors later confirmed that he remained healthy.
It later turned out that Yang works as a beekeeper and has shares in a wedding planning company.
He said his love for nature began in childhood when he went hunting with his grandfather.
“He taught me basket-making and how to set traps. I hope to share my jungle survival skills on social media to inspire others to explore nature.”
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