In a dramatic operation that seems ripped from a crime thriller, Colombian police have embarked on an ambitious mission to control the legacy of one of the world's most notorious criminals: Pablo Escobar. The target isn't drugs or money, but his herd of so-called 'cocaine hippos'.
The animals, descendants of the four hippos Escobar illegally imported for his private zoo at Hacienda Nápoles, have multiplied into a population of approximately 170. Their rapid reproduction and lack of natural predators in the South American climate have created an ecological crisis, classifying them as an invasive species.
A Surgical Solution to a Giant Problem
Authorities are not culling the animals but have instead launched a sophisticated sterilisation programme. This involves capturing, subduing, and surgically neutering the hippos—a complex and dangerous task that costs roughly $9,800 per animal.
The procedure is a multi-stage operation. Veterinarians first dart the hippos with a sedative from a safe distance. Once the sedative takes effect, the team works quickly to perform the surgery, apply antibiotics, and administer a reversal drug before the hippo wakes up and returns to its territory.
The Environmental and Economic Toll
The growing hippo population presents a significant threat to the local ecosystem and community. Their waste is toxic and alters the chemistry of the water, harming native fish like the critically endangered manatees. Furthermore, their immense size and territorial nature make them a direct danger to local fishermen and residents.
Environmental authorities estimate the species could grow to over 1,000 individuals within a decade if left unchecked, creating an unsustainable situation for the Magdalena River basin.
A Global Scientific Interest
The unique situation has attracted international scientific attention. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University are particularly interested in the hippos' gut microbiomes. Studies suggest that the invasive hippos are transferring unique microbes into Colombian waterways, with unknown long-term consequences for the local environment.
This ongoing operation highlights the long and unexpected shadow cast by the drug trade, where the consequences of a criminal's whims are still being managed decades later.
