pablo escobar was notorious colombian drug lord Who left behind much more than his criminal empire after his death in 1993. Among his unique legacies was a private zoo. Hacienda Napoles The estate, which included exotic animals such as elephants, ostriches and hippopotamuses.
While most of the animals were relocated after Escobar’s fall, four hippos remained behind and became the source of an unexpected ecological problem in Colombia. Without natural predators, these so-called “cocaine hippopotamus” grew rapidly, with their population expected to exceed 160 by 2023. Hippopotamuses now pose a threat to public safety, damaging crops, wandering into villages and posing a threat on roads.
He received the nickname “Escobar” due to his connection to Escobar’s legacy and his illegal cocaine empire.cocaine The hippopotamus,” symbolizing the unintended consequences of his wasteful spending and their impact on both ecology and public safety.
How did cocaine hippos come into existence?
Pablo Escobar, the notorious Colombian drug lord, was known for his extravagant lifestyle, which included a private zoo at his Hacienda Napoles estate near Doral. Escobar’s collection of animals was carefully stored. They focused on less sought after creatures such as elephants, ostriches and especially hippos. Their goal was not only to enjoy these exotic animals, but also to win over the public by opening the zoo to visitors, thereby attracting locals in the 1980s who would travel for hours to see these wild animals up close. Used to stand in line.
After Escobar’s death in 1993, his property was ransacked by locals looking for rumors of hidden wealth. The Colombian government took over the property in 1998, transferring most of the zoo’s animals to other facilities. However, four hippos – one male and three females – were deemed too dangerous to walk and were released to roam freely. This small group became known as the “cocaine hippopotamus” and began what would become one of Colombia’s most unexpected ecological challenges.
uncontrolled growth of cocaine hippo
The hippos, which had no natural predators, began to multiply. Female hippos can give birth to babies every 18 months, and those that survive for decades can greatly help expand the herd. By the end of 2023, the hippopotamus population in Colombia’s Magdalena Basin had dropped to 169. Attempts to confine them within the Hacienda Napoles failed as the hippos continually escaped through bushes, barbed wire, and even electric fences.
As their population increased, so did the problems. Farmers began reporting attacks, damaged crops and accidents. One hippopotamus was hit by a car, while another surprised children and teachers by wandering into a school courtyard. Although no extreme events had yet been observed in Colombia, concerns grew as these animals encroached on human settlements.
How are cocaine hippos a threat to their habitat?
The so-called “cocaine hippopotamus”, descendants of animals brought to Colombia by drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1980s, have become a serious threat to both the local environment and people. Although these hippos may seem fascinating due to their unusual history, they pose a real threat for several reasons:
Cocaine hippopotamuses show aggression towards humans
Hippopotamuses are highly territorial and aggressive, especially when they feel threatened. Although they may seem slow on land, they have been known to charge at speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour (about 19 mph), making them dangerous if encountered unexpectedly. In AfricaWhere they are native, hippos kill more people each year than lions, and Escobar’s hippos display similar aggressive behavior.
ecological impact
As an invasive species in Colombia, these hippos disrupt the local ecosystem. Their waste pollutes water sources, causing algae blooms that harm native fish species and other aquatic life. Additionally, their enormous size and voracious appetite impacts local plant life, potentially reducing biodiversity.
Cocaine hippopotamus population explosion
Due to the lack of natural predators in Colombia, the population of these hippos has started increasing uncontrollably. From the original four imported by Escobar, their number has grown to more than 150. This rapid increase in population increases the stress on the ecosystem and increases the likelihood of dangerous human-hippo encounters.
Cocaine hippopotamus is hard to manage
Hippopotamuses are incredibly difficult to move or manage due to their size, strength, and aquatic habits. Efforts to sterilize or exterminate them have been controversial, but the growing population presents a challenge for local officials trying to limit their spread and reduce associated risks.
Beyond the immediate physical threat, environmental experts expressed concern over the long-term ecological impact of the hippopotamus. Each hippopotamus produces about 9 kilograms of dung per day, which when deposited can harm aquatic ecosystems.
While in Africa, hippo dung can support fish populations, in Colombia’s ecosystem, it risks creating toxic conditions, endangering native species like otters, capybaras and tortoises. Colombia’s environment is simply not equipped to handle the presence of such large herbivores.
The battle to control the cocaine hippos
After years of debate, Colombian officials decided to take action. In 2023, he announced plans to control the growing hippo population through sterilization, euthanasia, and translocation. Reports suggest that at least 70 hippos were sent to India as part of this effort. However, due to the animal’s large size and the fact that its testicles are retractable, sterilization, especially castration, proved challenging, making them difficult to find.
The process of sterilization of hippopotamus is time consuming and expensive. It begins with tranquilizing the animal and making sure it is completely unconscious. Then a team of veterinarians drag the hippo onto a sterile sheet and begin the operation. The head veterinarian palpates the animal’s abdomen to locate the testicles, makes a small incision and carefully removes the mango-sized organs. The procedure can take up to seven hours, and once completed, the hippo is monitored until it regains consciousness.
Each sterilization costs about 40 million pesos (about $10,000), and requires a team of eight professionals. Colombia’s Environment Minister Susana Muhammad said they are in a race against time to prevent lasting environmental and ecosystem impacts. The fight to control the “cocaine hippopotamus” is not just a matter of public safety, but a fight to prevent permanent damage to Colombia’s fragile ecosystem.
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