Tanzanian authorities probe mysterious disappearance of black rhino

Authorities in Tanzania said on Wednesday they were investigating the mysterious disappearance of a black rhino from the east African nation's northern Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA).

Alexander Songorwa, Director of Wildlife in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, said they were investigating to establish how the rhino was reportedly sold to a private lodge in the Serengeti for 100,000 U.S. dollars.

"We are going through documents to establish how the rhino was sold," said Songorwa, adding that the findings will be submitted to Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Thursday.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister ordered relevant authorities to give him full report on how the rhino was moved from its sanctuary in Ngorongoro to the Serengeti's Singita Sasakwa Lodge in the Grumeti Reserves located on the Serengeti plains.

The disappearance of the rhino named John was reported to the Prime Minister on Tuesday during his tour of the NCAA.

Majaliwa gave the officials two days to furnish him with information on details of the black rhino's sale along with an official report from a qualified wildlife veterinary officer to confirm whether the rhino had indeed died as reported by NCAA officials.

Majaliwa lashed out at both NCAA and Tanzania National Parks Authority officials for allegedly colluding to sell the otherwise endangered wild animal.

According to the Prime Minister, the black rhino was corruptly sold at a price of 100,000 US dollars with TANAPA officials cashing in 50,000 US dollars as an initial deposit by the buyer. Endit