The war language echoes beyond Colombia, reaching borders where armed violence is a daily reality. The Prosecutor General’s Office has recently told the Council of State that the hippopotamuses in question descend from four mammals illegally brought into the country by a drug lord about four decades ago. Many readers know the hippos as part of the landscape near Antioquia, roughly 400 kilometers from the capital.
This herbivorous species arrived from Africa in 1980, the result of illegal imports that created a private collection near Medellín. Only four animals reached the new home, and the organization behind them dissolved when the cartel founder died in 1993. Authorities relocated many species, leaving these hippos behind. They adapted to life along the Magdalena River, and current estimates suggest more than 200 individuals in the region, potentially about 29 percent of the adult population. They now exceed 800 kilograms a piece, breed mostly underwater, and reproduce in large numbers, raising worries that their population could swell to over a thousand within a year or two. The term invasion begins to acquire new meaning as these animals increasingly shape the local ecosystem.
Since the hippos became a familiar sight as the river flows toward the Caribbean, Colombians have learned about their habits, breeding cycles, hot days, and mating behavior. Yet the danger is never far: the press has highlighted incidents where people have been bitten by their powerful jaws and faced serious infections from mouth injuries. A case described in the media involved a man whose mental state was later questioned after the attack.
facts and myths
Another man almost lost his arm while attempting to capture an animal for sale. He lived in a rural settlement near Luis Enrique Díaz and a small pumping station. One morning, as in many days along the river, he went to refill the pump, and the hippo unleashed its anger. He tried to escape but fell to the ground, and the incident left him wary for almost a year. Hippos can reach speeds of up to about 40 kilometers per hour, allowing them to vanish from view quickly. In another recent event, a wandering hippo collided with a car and died, injuring the people inside the vehicle.
From an ecological perspective, hippos influence the landscape and pose risks to local fishermen. The question of how to manage these animals preoccupies biologists, residents, and government officials alike. Some officials in Antioquia sought fast-tracked permits to relocate a portion of the herd, with financial backing from the private sector. The national government has yet to grant approval to transfer these animals by air. A growing chorus of voices argues that coordinated action is needed to stabilize the situation without harming local communities or the animals themselves, with several groups calling for clear guidelines and a strategic plan.
This environmental debate has prompted the government to commission academic studies and expert reports exploring management options. Suggestions include controlled hunting under strict supervision, relocation to zoos or established wild populations within the species range, or confinement to a designated area until natural disappearance occurs. The goal is to reduce ecological disruption while safeguarding human safety and local livelihoods.
in defense of monsters
Hard decisions have been scarce for a long time. Some observers argue that the hippos deserve consideration as part of Colombia’s evolving landscape, inviting discussions about treatment and accountability that go beyond criminal activity alone. The debate encompasses whether the animals should be protected, relocated to reserves overseas, or managed within a local framework that balances justice, public safety, and ecological health. No simple answer exists, and the conversation continues to unfold amid competing interests and urgent practical concerns.
Opinions vary on how to proceed, but many agree that solutions must address root causes and protect vulnerable communities. There is also debate about the potential value of the hippos as a resource, including discussions about the possibility of sustainable use or culinary uses, particularly in contexts of poverty and food insecurity. Such conversations reflect broader questions about equity, resource management, and humane treatment, all of which shape the path forward as this unique ecological issue evolves.