Kolumbiens “Cocaine Hippos” Pose Million-Dollar Problem from Pablo Escobar Era

Pablo Escobar, the notorious drug lord, had an extravagant lifestyle that included exotic animals on his estate. When he was killed in 1993, his collection of animals was dispersed, but his four hippos remained in a pond on his property. However, over the years, the hippos have multiplied and now there are around 80 of them roaming around the countryside in Colombia.

Environmental Impact

While the “cocaine hippos” might seem like a quirky feature of the Colombian landscape, their presence has serious environmental consequences. They are an invasive species and their waste is contaminating local waterways. Additionally, they have no natural predators in Colombia, so their population is likely to continue to grow.

The Million-Dollar Problem

The Colombian government has been struggling with the problem of the “cocaine hippos” for years. On the one hand, they are a threat to the environment and potentially dangerous to humans. On the other hand, they have become a tourist attraction and a source of pride for some communities. Additionally, relocating or culling the hippos would be expensive and logistically challenging.

New Solutions

Recently, there have been new proposals for dealing with the “cocaine hippos”. One idea is to sterilize them, which would prevent further population growth without resorting to culling. Another idea is to turn them into a source of income by offering “hippo safaris” to tourists.

Summary: The “cocaine hippos” that once belonged to Pablo Escobar have become a major problem in Colombia. They are an invasive species that is damaging the environment, but they are also a source of pride for some communities and a potential tourist attraction. The Colombian government is considering new solutions for managing the hippo population, including sterilization and hippo safaris. #NEWS