Anant Ambani, son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has renewed an offer to transport 80 hippos—descendants of drug lord Pablo Escobar's pets—to his private animal sanctuary in Gujarat, India. The offer comes as Colombian authorities plan to cull the feral hippos, which have become an environmental menace.
The hippos, originally imported by Escobar in the 1980s for his private zoo, have roamed wild since his death in 1993. Their population has exploded to over 200, causing destruction to vegetation and terrorising local wildlife. Despite sterilisation efforts, experts warn numbers could exceed 1,000 in decades.
Ambani's Vantara sanctuary, home to over 150,000 animals, has faced controversy, including allegations of illegal wildlife sourcing and being a 'vanity zoo' closed to the public. However, an Indian Supreme Court investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing. A previous 2023 plan to move 60 hippos stalled due to logistical and permit issues.
Ambani stated the hippos are 'living, sentient beings' and appealed to the Colombian government for a 'safe, scientifically led translocation'. The operation is estimated to cost over $4 million (£3m). If successful, it would mark a new chapter for the hippos, though questions remain about Vantara's suitability for the animals, which are not native to India.
