Colombia Plans to Cull Half of Pablo Escobar’s Hippos

Written on 04/13/2026
Josep Freixes
Colombia will cut in half the hippopotamus population that has grown over nearly 40 years from the four animals brought from Africa by Pablo Escobar. Credit: Unknown, Crusoe, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Colombian government’s decision to cull at least half of the hippos currently living in the country marks a turning point in a story that began more than three decades ago, when drug trafficker Pablo Escobar imported four African specimens for his private zoo.

What was once a symbol of extravagance ultimately became one of Colombia’s most unique and complex environmental problems.

Today, with a population exceeding 160 or 200 individuals and continuing to grow unchecked, the government of Gustavo Petro has opted for an extreme measure: eliminating around 80 hippos through euthanasia.

The decision, confirmed by the Ministry of Environment, comes after years of debate, failed attempts at international relocation, and scientific warnings about the impact of this invasive species.

Colombia plans to cull half of Pablo Escobar’s hippos

The government’s resolution emerged after more than a decade of debate and discussions over what to do with the large colony of hippos, descended from the specimens Escobar brought to the country from Africa. Environmental authorities, scientists, and organizations have debated how to manage a population that continues to grow in the Magdalena Medio region.

From the original four hippos, the species multiplied to become the largest wild population outside of Africa and now exceeds 160 or 200 individuals, meaning the problem ceased to be anecdotal years ago.

In this regard, the measure was explained by Environment Minister Irene Velez in an interview with the local radio station Blu Radio, where she clarified the reasons, scope, and technical and ethical challenges of the procedure. According to Velez, the presence of these animals represents “a risk to our native species, such as the manatee and the turtle,” in addition to affecting water quality and nearby human communities.

Technical studies and official projections warn that, without intervention, the number of animals could surge to 500 by 2030, worsening the already visible ecological damage. The lack of natural predators, combined with favorable conditions, has allowed sustained growth that exceeds traditional control capacity.

During this time, different alternatives were tested. Surgical sterilization was one of them, but its high cost and logistical complexity limited its scope. Attempts were also made to arrange the relocation of specimens to other countries, without success. No country agreed to receive them, ultimately closing off one of the main options considered by the government.

Finally, the Environment Minister reported that no country has agreed to receive hippos and that keeping them isolated entails considerable expense. According to Velez, the measure could affect around 80 individuals in different regions, as part of a strategy for the gradual reduction of the species.

The environmental and scientific argument

The government justifies the measure on environmental and safety grounds. Hippos are considered an invasive species that profoundly alters aquatic ecosystems, affects water quality, and puts native species such as manatees and turtles at risk.

In addition to the ecological impact, there are concerns about coexistence with human communities. These animals, known for their territorial and aggressive behavior, pose a potential risk in rural areas where their presence is becoming increasingly frequent.

Another determining factor is the genetic deterioration of the population. All current hippos descend from the same four original specimens, which has led to inbreeding problems and mutations. This element has further complicated any attempt at conservation or relocation.

The plan adopted by the government is part of a broader invasive species management strategy that also includes sterilization and, eventually, relocation if opportunities arise. However, euthanasia is now being presented as a central tool to curb population growth.

The implementation of the measure raises not only ethical dilemmas but also logistical and economic challenges. Each euthanasia procedure can cost around 150 million pesos (approximately US$41,000), including sedation, control of the animal, and final disposal of the body.

The protocol includes both chemical and physical methods, always under technical standards defined by the Ministry of Environment. In many cases, it will be necessary to confine the animals beforehand to ensure the safety of the operations.

The government has allocated billions of pesos to carry out the plan, which will be implemented progressively. The goal is to significantly reduce the population and prevent the problem from becoming unmanageable in the coming years.

Reactions and ethical dilemmas surrounding an uncomfortable legacy of drug trafficking

The decision has sparked strong controversy. While some sectors support the measure as a necessary action to protect ecosystems, others reject it as a cruel solution.

Animal rights organizations have questioned the culling of the hippos, arguing that less drastic alternatives exist. However, biodiversity experts insist that the time for intermediate solutions has run out.

The debate also reflects a broader tension between the individual protection of animals and the conservation of ecosystems. In this case, authorities have chosen to prioritize environmental balance over a species that was artificially introduced.

The case of the hippos symbolically encapsulates the unexpected consequences of Pablo Escobar’s legacy. What began as an eccentricity at Hacienda Napoles ended up generating an environmental problem on a national scale.

For years, these animals were even seen as a tourist curiosity. But their uncontrolled expansion changed that perception and forced the state to intervene. Today, Colombia faces a difficult decision, with no perfect solutions. The elimination of part of the hippo population opens a new chapter in this debate, where science, politics, ethics, and historical memory intersect.

The measure by Gustavo Petro’s government seeks not only to resolve an urgent environmental problem but also, in part, to close one of the most unusual chapters in the legacy of the darkest years of the country’s major drug cartels.