The Colombian government will kill approximately 80 invasive hippopotamuses descended from the private herd of Pablo Escobar [1].

The move addresses a growing ecological crisis in the Antioquia department. Because the animals are not native to South America, they out-compete local species and threaten the safety of nearby residents.

The Colombian Ministry of Environment announced the decision in mid-April 2026 [1]. The animals, primarily located around the former Hacienda Nápoles estate, have become a significant risk to the region's biodiversity and public health by spreading disease [1], [2].

"Nous devons prendre cette mesure," the Colombian Environment Minister said [1].

To execute the cull, the Colombian government will spend 1.5 million euros [3]. This budget is intended to manage the population, which is currently estimated at around 200 animals [3].

Officials said that the presence of the animals threatens both inhabitants and the local environment [2]. The cull is scheduled to begin shortly after the mid-April announcement to prevent further ecological degradation.

The hippopotamuses were originally brought to Colombia by the drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. Since his death, the herd has grown unchecked, turning a private curiosity into a public health and environmental emergency.

“"Nous devons prendre cette mesure"”

This decision marks a shift from attempted relocation to lethal control of an invasive species. The use of a 1.5 million euro budget highlights the high cost of managing biological legacies left by criminal enterprises, where the introduction of non-native megafauna can permanently alter local ecosystems and force governments to prioritize biodiversity over animal preservation.