Hippos back in the news as Colombia weighs culling Escobar-era hippos; iconic semi-aquatic herbivore, native to sub-Saharan Africa, still thriving in Colombia.
Colombia has announced plans to cull up to 80 hippos descended from Pablo Escobar's private zoo. The decision follows unsuccessful efforts to control their population through neutering and relocation. The hippos threaten local communities and native species, and the government is shifting to population control measures, including hunting, to prevent their numbers from increasing further. This story is current as of Sun, 26 Apr 2026 18:00:57 +0100.