Colombia Grapples with Exploding 'Cocaine Hippo' Population Decades After Pablo Escobar's Death
More than three decades after the death of drug lord Pablo Escobar, Colombia is facing a significant ecological crisis due to the unchecked proliferation of hippopotamuses originally imported for his private zoo. Starting with just four hippos in the 1980s, the population in Colombia's Magdalena River basin has now surpassed 200. Officials project this number could reach approximately 500 by 2030 and nearly 1,000 by 2035 if strong control measures are not implemented. Researchers estimate the population is growing at an annual rate of 9.6%. The Colombian government formally declared these hippos an invasive species in 2022, citing risks to water quality, native wildlife, agriculture, fishing, livestock, and human communities. In April, the government committed 7.2 billion Colombian pesos to manage the issue and approved a technical euthanasia protocol for cases where relocation is not feasible, alongside ongoing efforts for sterilization, relocation, and confinement.
