These hippos, brought as a “personal trophy” by Pablo Escobar, “could be a threat to species like the manatee and to ecosystems”, due to their rapid reproduction and expansion.
Colombia News.
By the year 2030, Colombia could have more than 400 hippopotamuses in the Magdalena, they originate from Africa and the species was brought by the late capo Pablo Escobar for his personal zoo 30 years ago, then the remaining problem was not addressed in time.
Many specialists who have been following the life of these species in the country for months and years agree that they are a threat to other native species.
“It is a tough issue in terms of public opinion, but from the academy you have to know how to explain to people what is happening,” said Daniela Cadena, from the Faculty of Sciences of the Universidad de los Andes.
Once it is declared an invasive species -as a committee has already determined-, a management plan for this species must come, which may include eradication, castration (the most viable) or transfer.
However, from Cornare they warn that “it is not possible to capture or sterilize.”
This, at least with the country’s resources, and international support has been sought so far, without success.
“Today there are problems, but it will be much more critical in the coming years. We are inviting the national government so that, based on this information, we move to make decisions,” said Hernando García, Director of the Humboldt Institute.
It is requested to face the ecological problem due to its rapid reproduction.
They ‘threaten’ other species
This would cause disproportionate environmental, economic and social problems if it is not stopped now.
Read Also: Pablo Escobar’s hippos are now ‘legal persons’ according to US court
The main problem lies in other species such as the manatee, at risk.
The reduction of fish that do not survive because of the level of oxygen in the hippos’ feces, another problem.
«They defecate constantly in the water, and this remains with too many nutrients and causes problems for other animals”, they warn.
After the declaration of an invasive species, they have asked that the reproduction of the mammal be prevented to prevent future problems “that may affect our species.”
#Live | Hippos will be declared an invasive species: the animals could be euthanized, castrated or moved.
information with @CynthiaPinedaH
Live streaming ➡️ https://t.co/ZtkluMHvuj pic.twitter.com/T3kbqfhidO
— network+ news (@RedMasNoticias) February 9, 2022
Debate
The fact that hippos are declared an invasive species has opened the debate: Has everything possible been done to address the problem without affecting one or the other species?
The new trick of the animal denialists is to criminally threaten officials who dare to try to solve the hippopotamus problem. What a ballast these people are so boisterous. https://t.co/eJ1bNbfKiH
– Petunio (@El_Andropausico) February 4, 2022
A thousand times yes. The conservation of invasive species is detrimental to our biodiversity. Invest those resources and energy in our species that need it so much. https://t.co/KO5p25Cg5w
– Nataly Castelblanco (@N_CastelblancoM) January 11, 2022
Do not forget. A man filed a Popular Action seeking precautionary measures that prohibited the environmental authorities from slaughtering hippos as a “single” strategy. That was the disinformation spread around here. But last December the court ruled: pic.twitter.com/49hrfeoeAk
– Rafael Moreno (@Rafael_MorenoA) February 4, 2022
They are destroying the Amazon with the complicity of the livestock union and with the FFMM making a presence in San Vicente del Caguan, Macarena and Calamar, among others, but the environmental debate today is about hippos. pic.twitter.com/taf2dHQTm4
– José Luis Q. (@joseluenlaselva) February 4, 2022
