An elephant known as "Zito," admired for his exceptionally large tusks and a major attraction within the Serengeti ecosystem, has gone missing, raising concerns among conservationists and tourism operators.
Reports of Zito’s disappearance began circulating last week through conservation-focused media and on social media platforms frequented by wildlife enthusiasts, both in Tanzania and abroad.
The last known sighting of Zito was as he left the Serengeti National Park, heading north toward the Maswa Game Reserve. This area, which includes licensed hunting concessions, is frequented by tourism and trophy hunting operators.
Julian Peter, a tourism industry stakeholder, shared that a search for Zito has been ongoing for over a week but has so far yielded no results.
“We can’t confirm if he may have been hunted, but he has not been seen. He was a popular attraction for visitors to the area,” Peter stated.
Also read:Has Zito the cross-border super tusker been trophy hunted in Tanzania?
Other stakeholders in the tourism sector, particularly those operating around Singita, Serengeti, and Meatu, also expressed uncertainty over Zito’s fate.
John Mollel, another tourism representative, noted that while investigations are underway, there is a possibility that Zito may have been legally hunted if he ventured into one of the Maswa hunting blocks.
“Last reports showed Zito left Serengeti and entered Maswa Game Reserve in Meatu district, where licensed hunting occurs. If he was hunted, it would have been under legal provisions,” Mollel explained. He added that if Zito was not hunted, he could simply be hidden in the thick bush within Maswa’s reserve boundaries.
When contacted, Joseline Mpelasoka, a Wildlife Officer from Meatu District, stated she had no information regarding Zito’s current status.
Also read:Zito The Elephant
“I have no specific details on Zito’s disappearance, but if there is relevant information, other agencies within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism would be responsible,” she commented.
The Serengeti National Park is bordered by game reserves that allow regulated hunting activities, operated by licensed tourism companies. Conservationists and wildlife advocates are closely monitoring the situation, hoping for the safe return of this iconic elephant.
