Colombians are divided over the fate of hippos linked to Pablo Escobar
Colombia's Environment Ministry plans to euthanize around 80 hippos descended from Pablo Escobar's private zoo, sparking debate among locals and animal welfare activists. The hippos, now an invasive species, have grown to a population of 200 and are expected to exceed 500 by 2030 if left unchecked.
In Colombia, a population of 200 hippos, originally from Pablo Escobar's private zoo, has become an invasive species. The animals are reproducing unchecked along the Magdalena River, causing concerns among locals and authorities. Colombia's Environment Ministry has approved a plan to euthanize around 80 hippos to prevent the population from exceeding 500 by 2030. The measure has sparked a fierce debate, with some locals fearing it will harm tourism, while others see it as a necessary step to mitigate the hippos' impact on the local ecosystem. The hippos have already affected the local fishing industry, with some fishermen abandoning their livelihoods due to the animals' aggressive behavior. The government's control plan includes confinement and euthanasia, but animal welfare activists have denounced the plan as 'murder'.
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