Colombia to Cull Pablo Escobar's 'Cocaine Hippos' to Control Population
Colombia is taking decisive steps to address the rapidly increasing population of hippos descended from a herd once owned by the infamous drug lord, Pablo Escobar. The herd, originally imported for Escobar's private zoo at Hacienda Nápoles in the 1980s, has grown significantly, with numbers now reaching around 166 hippos. After Escobar's death in 1993, the animals were left to roam freely, and their population has become a pressing concern for the country.
The hippos have thrived in the swampy Antioquia region due to the lack of natural predators. Their unchecked reproduction has led to their designation as an invasive species, threatening the local ecosystem. If left uncontrolled, the population could swell to an estimated 1,000 hippos by 2035.
Environment Minister Susana Muhamad recently announced a multi-pronged approach to tackle this issue. The plan will see the sterilisation, exportation and culling of some of the herd. The culling effort will begin this year, with at least 20 hippos set to be euthanized. Some will also be transferred to zoos abroad, including potential destinations like India and the Philippines.
Some animal activists have raised concerns over the sterilisation of the hippos due to the risks the procedure carries for both the animals and the vets. Hippos are the second largest land animal on the planet, and maintain a reputation for being the deadliest land animal due to their aggressive nature.
The legacy of drug lord Pablo Escobar has given rise to this unique challenge. Despite his death, the "cocaine hippos" continue to impact Colombia's environment, prompting the government to act in a race against time to control their numbers.
