Colombian officials have authorized a plan to cull dozens of hippos roaming freely in the country. These animals are descendants of those brought in the 1980s by notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar for his private zoo. Environment Minister Irene Vélez stated that previous methods, including sterilization and relocation, have been costly and ineffective in controlling the growing population.
The hippos, declared an invasive species by Colombia, pose a threat to villagers and displace native wildlife. Experts warn that without intervention, the population, estimated at around 170 in 2022, cannot be managed. Efforts to transfer hippos overseas were deemed too expensive, costing an estimated $3.5 million.
Animal welfare activists have opposed the culling, advocating for non-violent solutions. However, the government emphasizes the necessity of this action to preserve local ecosystems. The hippos have also become an unexpected tourist attraction and a feature of the former Hacienda Nápoles estate, now a theme park.
Previous attempts to control the population through neutering over the past 12 years have yielded limited results due to the difficulty and expense of capturing the dangerous animals. Returning them to Africa is also considered unfeasible due to their limited gene pool and potential diseases.