Colombia Reveals Plan to Decrease Pablo Escobar’s Cocaine Hippos

While "Cocaine Bear" is gripping the United States, Colombia is stuck with its decades-long conundrum that involves Pablo Escobar's infamous "Cocaine Hippos." The late drug lord's pet hippos are multiplying, leaving many in the country concerned.

There is a new proposal to move at least 70 of these "Cocaine Hippos" that live near Pablo Escobar's former ranch, Hacienda Napoles, which is now a popular tourist attraction. This is part of an effort to control their already-booming population.

Escobar illegally imported around 4 of these deadly creatures from Africa at the height of his Medellin Cartel's power in the 1980s. Now, these hippos, regarded as an invasive species, have thrived and spread far beyond the hacienda.

These so-called "Cocaine Hippos" are also part of the area's tourist attraction and can be found living along the Magdalena River where they face no predators. They survived when the hacienda was abandoned after Escobar's death in 1993 as Colombia provided favorable climatic conditions for them, according to People Magazine.

Hippos are regarded as one of the most dangerous animals in Africa, and that is saying something as they have one of the highest kill rates of any large animal on the continent, more than lions or crocodiles. They are highly territorial and authorities fear they might kill people who get too close.

Proposal Wants to Move 70 of Pablo Escobar's Cocaine Hippos to India and Mexico

There are approximately 130 hippos living in the Magdalena River area in Antioquia province and scientists believe their population could hit 400 in about eight years. The plan was proposed to help reduces these numbers as scientists warned their population boom could affect local manatees and capybaras living in the area.

CBS News reported that the plan is to lure 70 of these creatures with food and into large iron containers. They would then be transferred by truck and then flown by plane to India and Mexico, as these countries have wildlife sanctuaries and zoos capable of caring for such large and dangerous creatures.

Around 60 are planned to be sent to the Greens Zoological Rescue & Rehabilitation Kingdom in Gujarat, India, while another 10 would go to several zoos and sanctuaries in Mexico.

Several countries, such as Ecuador, the Philippines, and Botswana, the latter being one of the animals' actual homelands, have also expressed their willingness to receive these "cocaine hippos."

Environmentalists Worried Colombia's Environment Minister Might Protect Cocaine Hippos

Researchers and environmentalists are worried that Colombian environment minister Susana Muhamad might intervene with the plan and protect the creatures rather than help decrease their population.

Pablo Escobar's "cocaine hippos" had been a very contentious issue in the country, because while many in the country consider them an invasive species, many, including the minister and villagers who live near these animals, have voiced their support for protecting them.

According to Nature, Muhammad stated in a January speech that her ministry would create policies that prioritize animal well-being, including the creation of a new division of animal protection. Although she did not mention the hippos specifically, many believe these include these creatures.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: How this drug lord created a hippo problem in Colombia - Vox