Buenos Aires, Sep 9

A 58-year-old Uruguayan survived in the Andes for about four months by eating rats after losing his way in the world's longest continental mountain range, Sky News reported Monday.

Raul Fernando Gomez Circunegui set off in May to cross the mountains from Chile to Argentina on foot after his motorbike broke down but reportedly lost his way after a snowstorm.

Officials from Argentina's San Juan province found him living in a shelter 2,840 m above sea level when they went there to record snow levels.

Although the man had suffered significant weight loss, he opened the shelter's door and alerted the officials about his presence. 

"The truth is that this is a miracle. We still can't believe it," San Juan Governor Jose Luis Gioja told the media.

"We let him talk to his wife, his mother and his daughter... I asked him: 'Are you a believer?' He told me, 'no, but now I am.'"

A doctor treating Gomez said he will be discharged soon.

By:IANS

img src: mammal.org.uk