Pablo Escobar's hippos on the run in Colombia - 22nd February 2021

A group of hippos originating from drug baron Pablo Escobar's private zoo has multiplied and is now dispersing along one of Colombia's main waterways, the River Magdalena. Last month, a study published in a conservation journal recommended thinning out the animals as the only way to preserve the local environment.

Pablo Escobar founded the powerful Medellin drug cartel in the 1970s. Following his violent death in 1993, authorities raided his extravagant estate, 250 kilometres north-west of Bogota. The animals rescued from his private zoo were distributed across the country, except for the hippos.

"It was logistically difficult to move them," explained biologist Nataly Castelblanco, adding that the authorities presumed the beasts would die. However, they actually flourished.

Scientists have estimated that somewhere between 80 and 120 animals now inhabit Colombia's waterways. These are all descendants of Escobar's original male and three females. Castelblanco warns that unless immediate action is taken, the population will climb to over 1,400 as early as 2034. Ideally, therefore, the study envisages that 30 animals should be slaughtered every year.

Since hippos face no natural predators in South America, there is little to slow their expansion. Meanwhile, the climate offers advantages over Africa too. Colombia doesn't suffer the regular droughts which serve to control animal populations.

Environmental biologists believe hippos might jeopardise the local ecosystem in various ways. These include displacing native species and altering the chemical composition of river systems, which could affect fisheries. Counted among the deadliest animals, hippos also pose a serious threat to humans.

After Colombian media reported on the study, Castelblanco started receiving abuse. Apparently, people tend to perceive only plants or smaller species to be a threat, she explained, "instead of a massive mammal that many may find cute".