Colombia to cull up to 80 hippos descended from Pablo Escobar zoo

The Guardian reports that Colombian environmental authorities have authorized a plan to cull up to 80 hippos descended from four animals imported by Pablo Escobar in the 1980s, citing threats to native species like manatees and risks to villagers in the Magdalena River valley region. Environment Minister Irene Vélez stated the decision followed failed alternatives including neutering and zoo relocation, with a 2022 National University study estimating approximately 170 hippos roaming freely—a population that has expanded significantly across more than 100km from the original Hacienda Nápoles ranch. The reporting includes named official sources, specific population data, and substantive context about prior mitigation efforts, though the timing of culling remains unspecified. The article presents opposing viewpoints from animal rights activists like Senator Andrea Padilla, who calls the plan "cruel," and notes that hippos have become a local tourism draw—complicating the conservation narrative. Independent sources (colombiaone.com, Semana, El Colombiano) corroborate the authorization and add detail that annual culling targets approximately 33 animals per year with an estimated cost of 50 million pesos, suggesting a multi-year operation rather than immediate mass slaughter. Watch for: actual commencement of culling operations, potential legal challenges from animal welfare advocates, and whether Colombia pursues alternative population control methods if public pressure intensifies.