Colombia to Cull Dozens of Escobar’s Hippos Amid Ecological Concerns

32 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Apr 13

Colombia has approved a plan to cull up to 80 wild hippos descended from Pablo Escobar’s private zoo, citing environmental threats.
Authorities say previous attempts like sterilization and relocation have failed, and the hippos now threaten local species and nearby communities.
Animal welfare activists oppose the cull, arguing that killing the hippos is cruel, while officials stress the need to protect native ecosystems.

Will Colombia's unique 'cocaine hippo' tourism die out along with the culled animals?

Do Pablo Escobar's hippos pose a hidden disease threat to humans and native animals?

Could gene-editing technology have provided a humane alternative to culling Colombia's hippos?

Is culling Escobar's hippos a necessary evil or an unethical punishment for human error?

What is the true ecological cost of letting an invasive species thrive for decades?