Colombia to Euthanize 80 Invasive Hippos

Colombia is set to launch a comprehensive plan in the latter half of 2026 to control its invasive hippopotamus population. The initiative will commence with the euthanasia of an estimated 80 animals. This action is deemed essential for safeguarding the nation's ecosystems and indigenous species, which are currently under threat from the burgeoning hippo numbers.

The invasive hippos, descendants of animals illegally imported by Pablo Escobar in the 1980s, now number around 200 in the Magdalena River region. Without intervention, their population could surge to approximately 1,000 by 2035, posing significant risks including water pollution and endangering native wildlife such as river turtles and manatees.

The program, backed by a 7.2 billion peso budget, will also explore confinement and relocation strategies. International efforts to transfer some hippos to zoos or sanctuaries in countries like India and Mexico are underway, though necessary authorizations are still pending.