Colombia faces a growing challenge with the hippopotamuses Pablo Escobar introduced to the country. Originally brought to enrich his private zoo, these massive creatures have now become a significant environmental issue.
After Escobar died in 1993, his estate and its exotic animals were seized by authorities. Most of the animals were relocated to various zoos, but the hippos were left behind due to their size and the difficulty of capturing them.
Unchecked, the hippos began to reproduce, and their numbers have since surged beyond Escobar’s estate, spreading into local environments rich in vegetation and free of natural predators.
Recent estimates suggest that over 169 hippos now roam Colombia, a number that could potentially rise to 1,000 by 2035 if current trends continue. These creatures can weigh up to five tons and measure 16.5 feet long.
Their powerful jaws and territorial nature have led to incidents with local fishers, and there have been reports of hippos invading populated areas, including a recent incident where a hippo entered a schoolyard.
In 2021, a Colombian court decided that the hippos should be sterilized instead of euthanized. However, progress has been slow, and some have proposed euthanizing certain animals as a more immediate solution.
The recent ruling by the Administrative Court of Cundinamarca demands that the Ministry of Environment develop a regulation for the eradication of the species within three months.
Despite the dangers posed by the hippos, there is resistance to the idea of hunting them. Animal rights advocates and those involved in the tourism industry, which benefits from the continued presence of these unique creatures, oppose the plans.
The hippos, remnants of Escobar’s past impact, attract tourists and contribute to the country’s intriguing story.
This article by Trinity Sparke was first published by One Green Planet on 11 September 2024. Image Credit :Albert Beukhof/Shutterstock.
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