Colombian officials authorized a plan on Monday to cull dozens of hippos roaming freely through the country's central region. The decision aims to mitigate threats to local villagers and the displacement of native species.
The invasive animals are a direct legacy of the late drug lord Pablo Escobar, who brought the first hippos to the region years ago as part of his private zoo.
Ecological and human impact
The population has expanded significantly since their introduction, spreading across waterways in the central part of the country. Officials say the animals now pose a direct risk to human settlements.
Local authorities report that the roaming hippos frequently threaten nearby residents. The presence of the large mammals also disrupts the natural balance of the local ecosystem by pushing out native wildlife.
Environmental management of the species has become a priority for the government. The new plan seeks to control the numbers of the animals currently inhabiting the area.
