Pablo Escobar’s Hippos Multiply While Colombia Moves Toward Population Control [WATCH]

Colombian officials have approved a plan to cull dozens of invasive hippos descended from animals once owned by drug lord Pablo Escobar, citing environmental damage and failed attempts to control the population through other means, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Environment Minister Irene Vélez confirmed the decision, stating that previous strategies such as sterilization and relocation had proven both costly and ineffective.

Officials said the plan could involve the killing of up to 80 hippos currently roaming freely in the country.

Colombia will launch a plan in the second half of 2026 to control its invasive hippopotamus population, including euthanizing an initial 80 animals, Environment Minister Irene Velez said on Monday. https://t.co/vJcB9kSo2j https://t.co/vJcB9kSo2j

— Reuters Science News (@ReutersScience) April 13, 2026

“If we don’t do this, we will not be able to control the population,” Vélez said. “We have to take this action to preserve our ecosystems.”

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The hippos, originally brought to Colombia as part of Escobar’s private zoo at Hacienda Nápoles, have multiplied significantly over the years.

Following Escobar’s death, the animals were left behind, and their population has since expanded far beyond the confines of the former estate.

According to a study published by Colombia’s National University, approximately 170 hippos were living in the wild as of 2022.

Hay preocupación por la presencia de hipopótamos en municipios de Antioquia, en Barrancabermeja (Santander) y hasta en Santa Marta. Las autoridades ambientales advierten sobrepoblación de estas especies.

Siga la señal de Noticias Caracol en vivo aquí: https://t.co/IUJUaJy1R3 pic.twitter.com/U7qiAwzht7

— Noticias Caracol (@NoticiasCaracol) April 7, 2026

The animals have continued to spread, with recent sightings reported more than 100 kilometers, or about 60 miles, north of Hacienda Nápoles.

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The region where the hippos now live is described as fertile and humid, providing conditions that have allowed the animals to thrive.

However, officials say their presence has created challenges for local communities and ecosystems. Authorities report that the large animals have become a threat to villagers and are displacing native wildlife in the rivers and surrounding areas.

The Associated Press reported that the government’s decision followed years of debate over how to manage the growing population.

Efforts to neuter some of the animals and relocate others to zoos have not significantly reduced their numbers, according to officials.

Hippos are not native to Colombia, and their presence represents one of the most unusual cases of invasive species outside their natural habitat in Africa.

The animals are known for their size and territorial behavior, which can pose risks to both humans and other wildlife.

Officials have not provided a specific timeline for when the culling operation will begin. The government has indicated that further details on implementation will be released as planning continues.

The situation has drawn attention due to the unusual origin of the animals and the scale of their expansion.

What began as a small group of four hippos at a private estate has grown into a large and widely dispersed population, raising concerns among environmental authorities and local residents.

The government’s decision marks a shift toward more direct measures aimed at reducing the number of animals, after previous efforts failed to contain their spread.

Authorities say the priority is to protect ecosystems and prevent further disruption to native species.

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