Already famous for the so-called hippos of the Escobar era, some of these animals are now in the crosshairs of conservation and public safety concerns. Their presence in Colombia has turned into one of the most talked-about invasive species issues, driven by rapid population growth across the forested valleys where they roam. Authorities announced that the hippos are expanding at a pace that worries environmental agencies and local communities alike.
The current count indicates 169 hippos inhabiting riverbanks and marshy clearings, a dramatic rise from the original handful that survived on Pablo Escobar’s private estate. What began as a curiosity during the drug lord’s lifetime has now become a challenge for Colombian ecosystems and the people who depend on them for livelihoods and water resources.
Following Escobar’s death in 1993, most of the other exotic animals were moved to safer locations, but the hippos remained because of the difficulty involved in relocating such large, scattered animals. The situation has since escalated, drawing urgent attention from scientists, policymakers, and environmental advocates who worry about downstream ecological impacts.
There could be 1,000 hippos by 2035
With few natural predators and ample food resources, these hippos have the potential to disrupt local ecosystems in ways that ripple through waterways, vegetation, and native species. Environmental authorities warn that without decisive action, the population could reach about 1,000 individuals by 2035, prompting a comprehensive management plan anchored in multiple strategies rather than a single solution.
The plan outlined by the ministry includes sterilization, translocation, and what officials describe as ethical euthanasia. The memo emphasizes that all three measures must work in concert to keep the growth curve in check and minimize long-term environmental and public health risks.
In 2021, a split among scientists surfaced: some recommended controlled culling to avert prolonged ecological damage, while others favored sterilization and welfare-conscious approaches. The debate highlighted the complexities of balancing animal welfare with ecosystem resilience and human needs.
Between 2011 and 2019, a limited sterilization program was carried out on four males and two females, but it did not impede the expanding population. Birth control efforts for hippos proved challenging and yielded little measurable effect on population dynamics, underscoring the difficulty of managing a rapidly breeding, free-ranging population in a complex landscape.
There are plans to relocate segments of the population to other regions and countries, including efforts that assess routes to India, the Philippines, and Mexico. Officials describe a careful logistics study to determine how to move approximately 60 individuals to India, with parallel analyses underway for other destinations. The aim is to reduce local pressure on ecosystems while pursuing humane, strategic relocation where feasible and permitted.
Officials stress that implementing this plan swiftly is critical to limiting lasting environmental damage. The ministry’s leadership notes that time is of the essence in addressing the ecological and community risks posed by hippo incursions into rivers, wetlands, and agricultural land.
Sterilization of animals begins
Sterilization is slated to start soon, with an anticipated average cost of 40 million Colombian pesos per animal (roughly 10,000 euros). The program targets sterilizing around 40 animals annually, beginning with the most accessible individuals. Spaying a female hippo is a lengthy procedure that requires careful veterinary work and extended recovery, but officials consider it a necessary step to slow population growth over time.
The ministry reinforces that hippos have been officially labeled exotic invaders with aggressive tendencies. Their continued presence threatens ecosystem balance and raises safety concerns for nearby communities. The broader aim is to protect water quality, maintain native species and reduce conflicts with people who live near hippo habitats.
Scientific studies have demonstrated how hippo waste degrades oxygen levels in rivers and lakes, influencing fish populations and potentially affecting human communities that rely on these water bodies. In addition to ecological impacts, the hippos’ presence disrupts agriculture and raises safety concerns for residents in affected areas. A 2021 study also notes a traffic-related fatality of a hippo from Escobar’s collection, underscoring the broader risk these animals pose on roadways and in human-dominated landscapes.
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Note: this article reflects ongoing government assessments of Hippo management strategies and does not include private contact details or external links. All cited statements come from official environmental sources and scientific studies cited in government briefings and independent research reports.