The son of an Indian billionaire has stepped forward with an offer to rescue 80 hippos in Colombia, where authorities recently approved a plan to euthanise the animals. The hippos, descendants of four brought illegally into the country during the 1980s by the late drug lord Pablo Escobar, are considered an invasive species. Without intervention, their population is projected to exceed 500 by 2030.
The Origin of the 'Cocaine Hippos'
Escobar imported the hippos for his private zoo at Hacienda Nápoles, a sprawling estate in the Magdalena River valley that featured a private airstrip and served as his secluded fortress. After his death in 1993, most of the animals were relocated, but the hippos were left behind due to the difficulty of moving them. With no natural predators and abundant water, they began breeding rapidly. From just four, the population has grown to over 200 and continues to expand.
Anant Ambani's Proposal
Anant Ambani, CEO of the private Vantara zoo and son of tycoon Mukesh Ambani, has formally requested the Colombian government to suspend the culling and instead translocate the 80 hippos to his animal centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. In a letter shared on the zoo's social media, he urged the environment ministry to consider the proposal for their 'lifelong care'. Vantara boasts 2,500 acres of land and houses up to 2,000 species, including elephants and tigers, with over 150,000 animals in total.
However, the zoo has faced controversy. A coalition of South African animal rights groups previously called for an investigation into alleged exports of wild animals to Vantara, but the recommendation was later reversed after countries like India, the US, Japan, and Brazil deemed it premature. An investigation by India's Supreme Court last year exonerated Vantara of wrongdoing. The zoo is not open to the public but has hosted high-profile visits from Lionel Messi, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and others, and is supported by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Environmental and Ethical Concerns
Colombia's environment minister, Irene Vélez Torres, defended the culling decision, stating: 'Without this action, it is impossible to control the population... estimates imply that by 2030 we would have at least 500 hippos affecting our ecosystems and native species, such as the manatee and the river turtle.' The hippos compete for food and space with local wildlife and pose a threat to villagers who encounter them on farms and rivers.
Animal welfare activists in Colombia have strongly opposed the killing, arguing that the hippos deserve to live and that violence sets a poor example for a country recovering from decades of internal conflict. Meanwhile, the hippos have become a tourist attraction, with residents near Hacienda Nápoles offering spotting tours and selling souvenirs. The ranch, now a theme park, draws visitors to its pools, slides, and zoo.
Ambani emphasised the ethical imperative: 'These 80 hippos did not choose where they were born, nor did they create the circumstances they now face. They are living, sentient beings, and if we have the ability to save them through a safe and humane solution, we have a responsibility to try.' Vantara insists it has the expertise and infrastructure to support the translocation entirely on Colombia's terms.
