Colombia to Cut Population of Escobar Hippos

Colombia has announced plans to significantly reduce the population of invasive hippos descended from animals once owned by drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Environment Minister Irene Velez Torres said on Monday that authorities aim to cull around 80 animals in the first phase. Previous efforts to relocate the hippos to zoos and reserves in countries including Mexico, India and the Philippines have so far failed.

The ministry is continuing to explore relocation options but warned that swift action is needed to bring the population under control.

There are currently about 200 hippos living in Colombia. Without intervention, their numbers could rise to around 1,000 by 2035.

Scientists say the animals are disrupting local ecosystems, threatening native species such as river turtles, damaging farmland and posing a risk to people.

The hippos descend from four African specimens that Escobar imported for his private zoo at his Hacienda Napoles estate. After his death in 1993, the site fell into disrepair and the animals escaped into nearby rivers, where they multiplied rapidly and spread across the region.

(dpa, est)