"Cannot Be Managed Anymore"... 80 Hippos Left by Drug Lord to Be Euthanized

Population Surge Spurs Threats to Residents and Ecosystem Disruption
Sterilization and Relocation Attempts Fail
Animal Rights Groups Protest

The Colombian government has decided to cull hippos originally brought into the country by drug lord Pablo Escobar, as their population has surged. With the number of hippos increasing to around 170 over several decades—posing threats to both public safety and the ecosystem—the government is considering the drastic measure of killing up to 80 hippos, which has sparked growing controversy.

Hippos are floating in the lake within Napoles Park in Colombia. Photo by AP Yonhap News

According to the Associated Press on April 14 (local time), the Colombian government has approved a plan to cull dozens of wild hippos, mainly in the central region of the country.

These hippos are the descendants of four individuals imported in the 1980s when Pablo Escobar established a private zoo. Their population has since grown rapidly, and they are now breeding in the wild.

Research from the National University of Colombia estimates that, as of 2022, approximately 170 hippos are living across various regions of the country. Recently, sightings have been reported in areas more than 100 kilometers away from their original habitat on local farms, indicating a rapid spread.

The government determined that the hippos threaten both public safety and the ecosystem. In fact, encounters between residents and hippos near farms and rivers have become more frequent, while competition for food and habitat with native species is intensifying ecological disruption.

Irene Velez, the Minister of Environment, stated, "If no action is taken, we cannot control the population," and described the plan as "an unavoidable choice to protect the ecosystem." Under this plan, up to 80 hippos could be culled, but the exact timeline for implementation has not yet been determined.

Until now, the Colombian government has tried various methods to reduce the hippo population, such as sterilization or relocating animals to zoos, but these efforts have had little practical effect due to high costs and risks. Capturing wild hippos and performing surgery requires significant resources and personnel, and the animals' aggressive nature makes the process extremely difficult. Repatriation to their native habitat in Africa is also considered unrealistic, given limited genetic diversity and the risk of spreading diseases.

Animal rights groups are strongly opposed to the plan. Animal rights activist and Senator Andrea Padilla criticized the decision as "a cruel choice," arguing that "killing and slaughter can never be justified." She also pointed out, "These hippos are the result of poor government management."

Animal welfare activists have also expressed concern, saying, "A violent solution could send the wrong message to Colombian society, which has endured a long civil war."

Meanwhile, Colombia is the only country outside Africa where wild hippos live, and Escobar's legacy continues to spark social debate decades later.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.