Colombian Environment Minister Irene Vélez officially authorized a plan on Monday to euthanize dozens of invasive hippopotamuses currently roaming the Magdalena River basin. The decision marks a significant shift in the government’s strategy to manage the "cocaine hippos," which were originally imported by late drug kingpin Pablo Escobar in the 1980s.
The ministry confirmed that up to 80 individuals will be culled as part of an effort to preserve native ecosystems and ensure public safety. Despite years of attempting non-lethal alternatives, officials stated that surgical sterilization and relocation programs have proven to be prohibitively expensive and largely ineffective at curbing population growth.
The current wild population is estimated to have grown to approximately 200 individuals. Environmental experts warn that without immediate intervention, the number could surge to 1,000 by 2035. These animals, which have no natural predators in South America, are increasingly displacing native species like the West Indian manatee and the river turtle.
Local villagers have also reported aggressive encounters as the hippos expand their range far from the Hacienda Nápoles estate. The animals’ massive waste production is also altering the chemical composition of local waterways, leading to dangerous levels of pollution that threaten the livelihoods of regional fishing communities.
Efforts to relocate the mammals to India and Mexico stalled recently due to a lack of international permits and high costs. Minister Vélez acknowledged on Monday that "administrative silence" from potential host countries left the government with few remaining options to protect Colombia's biodiversity from the invasive species.
The announcement has sparked backlash from animal rights activists who label the move as "cruel." Senator Andrea Padilla argued that the government is seeking an easy solution rather than investing in containment. However, proponents of the cull insist that the ecological integrity of the region must take priority.
International observers, including the administration of United States President Donald Trump, have noted the importance of regional environmental stability. While the U.S. has not intervened directly, the Trump administration has previously emphasized that managing invasive species is a critical component of South American environmental security.