Hippos: the giant environmental dilemma that Colombia lives with these animals, an invasive species brought by Pablo Escobar in the 80s.
News Colombia.
The presence of hippos, as the international media call it, “cocaine hippos”, are an environmental problem in the Magdalena River and populations of Antioquia. In some communities, they are seen walking, people are already taking precautions, but they are still a risk.
This species arrived in Colombia from Africa when, at the time when drug trafficking was more strongly established in the country, Pablo Escobar brought four to the zoo of his “Nápoles” farm.
This farm has about 3000 hectares, it is located in Puerto Triunfo, in Antioquia. Area where in April 2023, a hippopotamus was run over.
- Pablo Escobar introduced three females and one male to Colombia, he wanted pups in his personal zoo.
- They have spread to Cocorná, Puerto Boyacá, Puerto Nare, Puerto Sánchez, Puerto Berrío and Ciénaga de Barbacoas.
- Four arrived in Colombia in the 1980s, now there are more than 160.
Escobar left the place fleeing from the authorities and his animals were left adrift.
Studies indicate that Due to their territorial nature, they are a risk to the ecosystems through which they circulate. And for humans.
The economy of the areas where they have spread is also threatened. They reproduce uncontrollably and continue to colonize other places.
- They have strong jaws and long fangs. They weigh tons and are aggressive in their territories.
Currently, of the hippo population in Colombia: 37% are hatchlings and juveniles, 35% subadults and 28% adults.
Some of them cross the highway through which many vehicles pass.
The Attorney General’s Office submitted a request to the Council of State, so that urgent and immediate measures be taken.
There are currently 169 hippos in 43,342 square kilometers, according to a report by the National University and the Humboldt Institute.
An alternative would be to try to transfer them to zoos in Mexico and India. In Colombia they have been declared an invasive species and the government and the State have to find a solution.
They raise from controlled hunting, and surgical sterilization; but this last procedure can cost between 25 and 30 million for each animal.
Among other measures proposed by different environmental debate groups, there is translocation, which means the transfer of these species to other parts of the world, one option would be zoos in Mexico and India.
- Animalists oppose hunting and propose sterilization instead.
There is even a guardianship against the State for declaring these animals an ‘invasive species’.
Although in the country, they are a problem, their hunting is not authorized. They must be protected and other options sought to stop their reproduction.
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