Topic overview
In brief
- Authorities in Colombia rescued a malnourished newborn hippo found alone by fishermen.
- The hippo was treated for dehydration and malnutrition before being transferred to a sanctuary.
- The presence of cocaine hippos in Colombia poses significant ecological challenges, prompting government intervention.
Summary
In northwestern Colombia, authorities rescued a newborn hippopotamus that was found alone by fishermen along a riverbank. The animal was showing signs of malnutrition and advanced dehydration. After being discovered in a rural area of the Puerto Nare municipality in Antioquia, the hippo was treated by veterinarians and later transferred to a sanctuary at Hacienda Napoles, a former estate of drug lord Pablo Escobar. This sanctuary has become a theme park and is now home to many of the hippos that descended from a small group imported by Escobar in the 1980s.
The hippos, originally brought to Colombia for Escobar's private zoo, have since escaped and established a population that now numbers around 200. These so-called cocaine hippos have disrupted local ecosystems, as they have no natural predators in Colombia. Their presence has led to significant ecological concerns, including the killing of fish and threats to native species such as manatees, otters, and turtles. The hippos consume large amounts of grassland and produce considerable waste, which contaminates local rivers.