Colombia Rescues Malnourished Baby Hippo Amid Challenges with ‘Cocaine Hippos’

Authorities in northwestern Colombia successfully rescued a newborn hippopotamus found by fishermen on a riverbank displaying signs of malnutrition. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges Colombia faces with its wild hippopotamus population.

The Colombian Environment Ministry reports that around 200 hippos, known locally as ‘cocaine hippos’, roam the wild. These hippos are descendants of a group initially brought to Colombia by Pablo Escobar, the infamous cocaine kingpin.

Javier Valencia, director of the regional environmental authority, stated that fishermen discovered the young hippo sequestered from its mother and concealed in the bushes along a riverbank in the rural area of Puerto Nare, Antioquia. Veterinarians addressed its severe dehydration and malnutrition, and after stabilization, the hippo was transferred to a sanctuary at Hacienda Napoles, previously owned by Escobar and now a theme park.

In the 1980s, Escobar imported four hippos for his private zoo. Following his death in 1993, these animals escaped and settled along the Magdalena River. Their presence has disrupted local ecosystems and resulted in occasional attacks on residents.

Audrey Huse, an independent journalist residing in Colombia, shared insights with CBS News. She noted that the hippos, roaming freely, kill fish and pose threats to native species like manatees, otters, and turtles. Without natural predators, the population has expanded and impacted local ecosystems. These large animals consume considerable grassland and produce waste, which pollutes rivers.

Classified as an invasive species, these hippos destabilize ecosystems. The government authorized a plan to cull approximately 80 of them this year after unsuccessful sterilization efforts. Additionally, the Colombian government considered relocating hippos to foreign sanctuaries. However, deportation costs are high, estimated at $3.5 million, complicating efforts.

The hippo population in Colombia forms the largest colony outside Africa, presenting unique environmental challenges decades after Escobar initially imported them.