The Colombian government approved a plan to euthanize up to 80 invasive hippopotamuses that are descendants of animals imported by Pablo Escobar [1].
The move aims to halt ecological damage and protect local communities from an invasive species that has outgrown its original habitat. Because hippos are not native to South America, their presence threatens the biological balance of the region's waterways.
The animals inhabit the area around the Magdalena River, specifically near the town of Puerto Berrío in the Antioquia department [2]. While the original population began with only four hippos brought in by the notorious drug trafficker [3], the herd has grown to nearly 200 animals [4].
Officials said the population growth has created significant risks. Environment Minister Susana Muhamad said, "We have to act now to protect the ecosystem and the safety of local communities" [5].
Despite the decision to cull, Colombian authorities said that hippos have not caused a single death in the country, but they remain a threat to local safety and ecosystems [6]. The government intends to carry out the euthanasia process to manage the population size and reduce the environmental footprint of the herd.
The decision follows years of debate over how to handle the animals, which have become a strange symbol of the region. The approved plan focuses on a targeted reduction of the population to prevent further degradation of the wetlands and riverbanks, a necessary step for long-term conservation efforts.
“Colombia approved a plan to euthanize up to 80 invasive hippopotamuses.”
This decision marks a shift from attempting to relocate or contain the animals to active population control. By prioritizing ecological stability over the preservation of a high-profile invasive herd, Colombia is addressing the long-term biological consequences of introducing non-native megafauna into a sensitive river basin.
