Colombia sterilizing hippos descended from pets of kingpin Pablo Escobar

Summary

In Colombia, hippos, descendants of those brought from Africa by Pablo Escobar in the 1980s, have become an invasive species, posing a threat to local ecosystems. With an exponential population growth, the government is now implementing a sterilization program to control their numbers, costing around $10,000 per hippo. The country also considers transferring some to other nations, though it could cost millions.

Takeaways

• 🐘 The hippos in Colombia are not native and have been causing problems for decades.
• 🌍 These hippos were originally brought from Africa by Pablo Escobar in the 1980s.
• 📈 The hippo population has grown significantly since Escobar's death in 1993.
• 🏞️ Hippos have become a tourist attraction in Colombia, living in harmony with locals.
• 🚫 In 2022, hippos were declared an invasive species, posing a threat to local ecosystems.
• 🌿 They are dangerous to water quality and local wildlife, necessitating population control.
• 🔢 The government estimates that without intervention, there could be 1000 hippos in 15 years.
• 💉 A new plan involves surgically sterilizing hippos to control the population growth.
• 💸 Sterilization is costly, with each surgery costing around $10,000.
• 🌎 Colombia has also proposed transferring some hippos to other countries, which could cost millions.

Q & A

What is the origin of the hippos in Colombia?

The hippos in Colombia are not native and were brought from Africa by Pablo Escobar in the 1980s to live on his private estate.

Why were the hippos released into the wild in Colombia?

After Pablo Escobar's death in 1993, it was too expensive to remove the large hippos from the estate, so they were let loose and ran free.

How many hippos are estimated to be in Colombia currently?

The government estimates that there are now 170 hippos in Colombia, all descendants of the first animals brought there by Pablo Escobar.

What is the potential growth of the hippo population in Colombia if left unchecked?

The government estimates that if left to their own accord, the hippo population could grow to 1000 animals in 15 years.

Why are the hippos considered a problem in Colombia?

The hippos are an invasive species, dangerous to water quality, local ecosystems, and local wildlife, and they have been seen roaming local towns.

What was the initial attempt to control the hippo population in Colombia?

A previous attempt to reduce the population involved killing them with local hunters, which was met with controversy by animal rights groups.

What is the new plan implemented by the Environmental Ministry to control the hippo population?

The Environmental Ministry has begun surgically sterilizing hippos, starting with two males and one female, with plans to sterilize about 40 per year.

How much does each sterilization surgery cost according to the Environmental Ministry?

Each sterilization surgery costs about $10,000, provided the hippos can be caught safely.

What is the proposed solution regarding the hippos that is not a sterilization?

The country has also proposed transferring some of the hippos to other countries, although this could cost upwards of millions of dollars.

What is the current status of the hippos in terms of their impact on the local community?

Some residents even feed the hippos, but they have been declared an invasive species and are considered potentially dangerous.

How long have the hippos been in Colombia since they were first brought by Pablo Escobar?

The hippos have been in Colombia for more than 30 years since they were first brought there in the 1980s.