Colombia Considers Culling Pablo Escobar's Wild Hippos

Colombia is planning to reduce the number of hippos descended from a group owned by drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1980s. The country's Environment Minister, Susana Muhamad, revealed that 20 hippos would be sterilized, some would be moved to other countries, while others would be euthanized. Over the years, experts have attempted to control the hippo population, which was left to roam free after Escobar's death in 1993. Various methods, such as sterilization and transferring hippos to foreign zoos, have been employed but have proven unsuccessful due to the absence of predators and favorable conditions in Colombia's Magdalena River region. The hippos were declared an invasive species last year, allowing for a culling to take place. Muhamad emphasized that the export and euthanasia of the animals would only occur with proper authorization. Colombian authorities have long warned of the dangers posed by the uncontrolled reproduction of hippos, including threats to humans and native wildlife. These animals, which are the second largest land mammals after elephants and can weigh up to three tonnes, are known to be extremely dangerous, causing an estimated 500 human fatalities annually. While fishing communities and schools have also been targeted by hippos, no deaths have been reported so far. If no action is taken, it is estimated that the hippo population could reach 1,000 by 2035. However, animal activists argue that sterilization causes suffering for the hippos and poses risks to the veterinarians performing the procedure.