The government of Colombia has announced plans to kill 80 hippos in an effort to control their rapidly growing population, following concerns from local residents who say the animals have become a threat to communities.
Colombia is the only country outside Africa where these large semi-aquatic animals live in the wild. The hippos were first brought to the country in the 1980s by the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, who kept them in a private zoo at his estate.
Although Escobar initially imported only four hippos, their population has grown significantly over the years. By 2022, their number had reached about 170 due to rapid reproduction.
Many Colombians are concerned because several of the animals escaped from Escobar’s former estate and now roam freely, occasionally damaging crops and posing risks to nearby communities.
Most of the hippos are found in areas surrounding the Magdalena River basin, located in the central part of the country.
To reduce the population and minimize the risks they pose, Colombia’s Minister of Environment, Irene Vélez, said that around 80 hippos will be killed using poison.
“We had to make this decision to protect our ecosystems and biodiversity,” Vélez said.
Authorities have not yet announced when the plan to eliminate the animals will begin.
