Colombian authorities are planning to reduce the population of 80 wild hippos that originated from a colony established by Pablo Escobar. The notorious drug lord introduced four hippos into Colombia during the 1980s for his private zoo in the Magdalena River valley. These hippos reproduced and now roam freely in the country, with an estimated population of around 170 as of 2022, according to a study by Colombia’s National University.
The presence of these hippos has raised concerns among environmental authorities due to the potential threat they pose to local villagers when encountered in farms and rivers. To address this issue, the government has decided to cull approximately 80 hippos in order to safeguard the environment and protect the local population.
Environment Minister Irene Vélez mentioned that previous strategies, such as neutering the animals or relocating them to zoos, were ineffective and costly. She emphasized the necessity of population control measures to preserve ecosystems and prevent further proliferation of the hippos.
Despite the government’s decision, animal welfare activists have criticized the culling plan. Senator Andrea Padilla, known for advocating against bullfights in Colombia, condemned the cull as “cruel.” The hippos, now officially recognized as an invasive species, are also competing with native species like river manatees for resources and habitat.
Efforts to address the hippo issue have faced challenges, including the high costs associated with capturing and performing surgeries on the animals. The hippos have become a tourist attraction, with local residents offering hippo-spotting tours and selling hippo-themed souvenirs near Escobar’s former zoo site. Returning the hippos to their natural habitat in Africa is considered unfeasible due to their limited genetic diversity and potential disease transmission risks.
Hacienda Nápoles, Escobar’s estate that housed the private zoo, is now operated as a theme park after being confiscated by the Colombian government. Escobar, known as “The King of Cocaine,” was a prominent figure in the drug trade until his death at the hands of police in 1993. His fortune, built on a cocaine empire, made him one of the wealthiest individuals globally.
The legacy of Pablo Escobar has been immortalized in various forms of media, including a popular Netflix series that narrates his extraordinary life story.
