Pablo Escobar's feral 'cocaine hippos' face cull in Colombia after being deemed 'invasive' and 'ecological time bombs'

3 November 2023, 13:28

The hippos had been deemed an invasive species.
The hippos had been deemed an invasive species. Picture: Alamy
Jasmine Moody

By Jasmine Moody

Columbia is planning to cull some of the 166 hippos descended from a herd owned by drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1980s.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

This comes after a group of the hippos were sterilised in 2021 as the species were driving out native biodiversity; others called for them to be culled.

Colombian authorities have tried other approaches to control the hippo population, such as transferring the animals to zoos outside of the country.

Since being deemed an invasive species in 2022, the hippo cull will now be proceeding, with Environment Minister Susana Muhamad saying 20 will be sterilised and "some" would be euthanised.

Ms Muhamad told local media: "We are working on the protocol for the export of the animals. 

"We are not going to export a single animal if there is no authorisation from the environmental authority of the other country."

She added that the ministry was creating a protocol for euthanasia as a last resort.

Read more: Commander behind Met's drug strategy sacked after refusing drug test following cannabis claims

Read more: Met Police officer whose job was to protect MPs tests positive for cocaine at work

Since Escobar imported the animals for his private zoo, they have been left to roam around the Magdalena River after the drug lord was killed in a shootout with police in 1993.

The hippos have been called an ecological time bomb.
The hippos have been called an ecological time bomb. Picture: Alamy

However, the lack of predators and swampy Antioquia region have been providing the animals with the perfect conditions to thrive.

The hippos have been deemed an 'ecological time bomb', by scientists who say culling them is a way to minimise their impact on the environment.

Columbian biologist Nathalie Castelblanco told the BBC: "Obviously we feel sorry for those animals, but as scientists we have a duty, to be honest,"

"Hippos are an invasive species in Colombia and if we don't kill some of their population now, the situation could get completely out of control in just 10 or 20 years."

It is estimated that the 'cocaine hippo' population could rise to 1,000 by 2035 if measures are not taken.

The hippos have not killed anyone in Columbia but authorities are worried about the increasing risk.
The hippos have not killed anyone in Columbia but authorities are worried about the increasing risk. Picture: Alamy

However, animal activists say sterilisation creates suffering for the animals and is dangerous for the vets to carry out.

One activist, Luis Domingo Gómez Maldonado advocated giving the “hippos justice” and saving “as many individuals as possible.”

In a bizarre court ruling to combat the sterilisation of the animals, Escobar’s hippos were ruled as people in America.

However, a legal expert said the ruling would not carry any weight in Columbia, where the hippos live.

After Escobar was killed, he left his estate, the 5,500-acre Hacienda Nápoles, which was given to poor locals by the government.

Escobar had a variety of animals in his zoo.
Escobar had a variety of animals in his zoo. Picture: Alamy

In the late 1970s, Escobar smuggled four hippos, three female and one male, to his private estate, where they joined bison, ostriches and goats.

The offspring of Escobar's original hippos are commonly known as 'cocaine hippos' due to their association with the drug lord's involvement in the cocaine trade.

Since then, their descendants have been left to roam after being deemed too difficult to contain.

Hippos are extremely dangerous animals in their native land, sub-Saharan Africa, killing up to 500 people a year.

However, no deaths have been caused by the hippos in Colombia but authorities worry that as numbers increase, the risk to Colombian residents grows too.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, with a photo of herself as a teen, when she says she was abused by Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew, among others.

'Fierce warrior' Virginia Giuffre, survivor of Jeffrey Epstein abuse and Prince Andrew accuser, dies by suicide aged 41

The demonstration made its way to popular tourist spot, Weyler Square

'Without fear there is no change': furious protesters to target holidaying Brits at airports and hotspots in these countries

Ioan Gruffudd and Bianca Wallace have tied the knot

Titanic and Marvel star Ioan Gruffudd marries partner Bianca Wallace in intimate ceremony

Mummy Pig revealed the gender of her baby.

Mummy Pig's having a...! Peppa Pig's mother announces new piglet's gender at iconic London spot

CBB announced its winner

Celebrity Big Brother announces winner of latest series

Rupert Murdoch

Rupert Murdoch's company accused of 'actively undermining' Met's phone-hacking investigation

Paul Butler, who killed his estranged wife in a 'frenzied' and 'brutal' attack, has been served a minimum term of 27 years for the murder of Plymouth university lecturer Claire Chick.

'Evil' man who killed Plymouth university lecturer in 'brutal' jealousy-fuelled attack jailed for 27 years

Visitors and mourners pay their respects to the body of Pope Francis

How Pope Francis's funeral will unfold

Luigi Mangione appears at a hearing for the murder of UHC CEO Brian Thompson at Manhattan Criminal Court on February 21, 2025 in New York City.

Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to federal murder charge over CEO killing as US pushes for death penalty

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive on Air Force One at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International airport

World leaders arrive for Pope’s funeral as 150,000 mourners pay respects

Moscow says Vladimir Putin has had 'constructive' talks with Donald Trump's envoy at the Kremlin.

Trump envoy holds ‘constructive’ talks with Putin hours after top Russian general killed in Moscow car bomb

Displaced Palestinians crowd with outstretched hands and containers to receive hot meals distributed by aid organizations at the Jabalia Refugee Camp in northern Gaza City, Gaza on April 24, 2025.

UN runs out of food aid in Gaza as Israel continues total blockade, ending 'critical lifeline' for hundreds of thousands

Christina Howell was handed a hospital order under the Mental Health Act, after previously admitting manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility

Woman killed man in unprovoked racist attack after asking to be sent back to hospital

A huge mountain of rubbish bags and other waste block rows of terraced housing on Primrose Avenue in the Sparkbrook area of Birmingham as refuse workers continue to strike, 15th April, 2025.

Warning issued as Birmingham resident had to be given oxygen after burning recycling inside home amid bin strike

Laurence Fox arrived at court wearing grey jeans, a light blue shirt and a black cap

Laurence Fox pleads not guilty to sharing upskirting photo of TV star Narinder Kaur

Forensic investigators at Milton Keynes train station after a man was shot dead by armed police officers.

Man shot dead by police at point-blank range ‘called 999 himself’, watchdog reveals