Colombia has announced plans to euthanize at least 80 hippos descended from drug lord Pablo Escobar’s private collection, aiming to control the invasive species’ growing population. The decision follows failed attempts at relocation and sterilization, with experts warning that the unchecked hippo population threatens local ecosystems, according to Scientific American and Aristegui Noticias.
There are approximately 200 hippos roaming freely in Colombia, significantly increasing since Escobar introduced them in the 1980s. Officials estimate that, without intervention, the population could surge to around 1,000 by 2035, exacerbating environmental damage and prompting this urgent response, as reported by The Independent and Aristegui Noticias.
The euthanasia program is projected to cost over 7 billion Colombian pesos (about $2 million) and has sparked debates between environmental scientists advocating for population control and animal rights groups opposing the culls. El Financiero highlights the ethical controversy forming around the plan, with animal activists calling for non-lethal alternatives.
Colombia is unique in hosting wild hippos outside of Africa, and the government stresses that their presence disrupts native habitats and species. France 24 and NDTV emphasize the ecological threats, citing concerns over water quality and biodiversity loss in the areas these hippos inhabit.
Authorities plan to monitor the effects of the culling and consider further strategies as needed to manage the population sustainably. The coming months will be critical in assessing the plan's impact and balancing ecological preservation with animal welfare concerns.
Pablo Escobar
Colombia
Irene
