The son of an Indian billionaire has stepped forward with a proposal to adopt Pablo Escobar's notorious cocaine hippos, offering them a new home to avoid being culled. Anant Ambani, whose father Mukesh Ambani boasts a net worth exceeding £70 billion, has formally requested that the hippos be relocated to his animal care facility, Vantara.
The Hippo Problem in Colombia
The hippos have become a significant ecological challenge for Colombia. Originally brought to the country by the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar, they have multiplied into an invasive species with no natural predators. Escobar, known as the 'King of Cocaine,' assembled a private zoo at his lavish estate featuring kangaroos, zebras, and other exotic animals. After his death in 1993, the estate became a tourist attraction, but the hippos escaped and began thriving in local rivers.
Dangers and Ecological Impact
These roaming hippos pose a threat to humans, and Colombian officials have considered culling them. The hippos consume up to 40 kilograms of grass daily, depleting food sources for native species such as the capybara. Their waste introduces harmful bacteria and excess nutrients into waterways, leading to algal blooms that damage aquatic ecosystems.
Ambani's Offer
In a statement, Anant Ambani expressed his commitment: 'Vantara has the expertise, infrastructure and resolve to support this effort, entirely on Colombia's terms. These 80 hippos did not choose where they were born, nor did they create the circumstances they now face. They are living, sentient beings, and if we have the ability to save them through a safe and humane solution, we have a responsibility to try.'
Previous Control Measures
The Colombian Ministry of Environment began sterilizing the hippos in 2023, but the animals have been reproducing uncontrollably. Locals describe them as 'aggressive' and 'unpredictable,' often hiding when encountering a herd. Without predators, their population has surged, reproducing faster than their African relatives. A previous culling attempt in 2009 sparked outrage after a graphic photo of a local hippo named Pepe being shot circulated widely.
Authorities have warned that if left unchecked, the hippo population could reach 1,000 by 2035. Ambani's offer provides a potential humane solution to this growing crisis.
