Colombia plans to reduce hippo population linked to notorious crime figure

Colombia Approves Plan to Cull Invasive Hippos

The Colombian government has announced plans to euthanize up to 80 of the country’s invasive hippo population, which is estimated to be around 170 individuals. Environment Minister Irene Velez made the announcement on Monday, stating that the cull is necessary to preserve the country’s ecosystems.

Hippopotamuses were introduced to Colombia in the 1980s by Pablo Escobar, who brought four of the animals to his private zoo at Hacienda Napoles. The population grew significantly after Escobar’s death in the following decade. Today, hippos can be found up to 60 miles from Escobar’s former ranch, and a recent study estimated that they breed quickly due to Colombia’s lush environment.

Authorities have previously attempted to control the hippo population through sterilization and capturing the animals for relocation to zoos. However, these efforts were unsuccessful. The hippos are considered a threat to local villagers who encounter them, as well as competing with endemic wildlife such as manatees for food resources.

The cull is expected to take place in the region where the hippos are most concentrated. Animal welfare activists have expressed concerns about the decision, citing the potential impact on the country’s reputation and the animals’ limited genetic diversity. The hippos cannot be returned to their natural habitat due to the limited gene pool stemming from just four initial introductions.

The cull is set to begin soon, although a specific timeline has not been announced.

Source: Al Jazeera