The famous elephant “Zito” goes missing in Serengeti

By Hifadhi Reporter

The elephant, a major tourist attraction in the Serengeti ecosystem due to its exceptionally large tusks and known as Zito, has gone missing.
Reports of the elephant’s disappearance began circulating last week through conservation media outlets and social media platforms both within and outside the country.
The last confirmed sighting of Zito was as it left the Serengeti National Park and headed towards the northern part of the Maswa Game Reserve, an area where there are licensed tourist hunting companies.
Tourism stakeholder, Mr. Julian Peter says that for nearly a week now, efforts to locate the elephant, which is a key tourist draw, have been unsuccessful.
“We cannot say for certain whether it has been killed by tourist hunters or not, but it is no longer visible, and it was a major attraction for tourists,” he explains.
Some tourism stakeholders in the Singita, Serengeti and Meatu areas have expressed uncertainty about the elephant’s whereabouts.
Mr. John Mollel says that while investigations into the matter are ongoing, if it has been hunted, it would be legal.
“The latest reports indicate that the elephant left the Serengeti and headed toward the Maswa Game Reserve in Meatu District, where there are hunting blocks. If it has been hunted, then it is legal,” he says.
Mr. Mollel adds that if the elephant has not been hunted, it may have taken refuge in the thick bushes of the Maswa Game Reserve.
When asked for comment on the disappearance of Zito, Ms Joseline Mpelasoka, the Wildlife Officer for Meatu District, stated that she had no information.
“I don’t have any personal information regarding this elephant, but if there is any, other relevant authorities within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism would be involved,” she says.
The Serengeti National Park is surrounded by several game reserves, including Maswa, which is home to licensed hunting operations.