Trending Now - Colombia to Cull Hippos Descended From Pablo Escobar's Estate

WHO:

Al Jazeera - Andrea Padilla, a senator and animal rights activist, described the plan to cull the hippos as a “cruel” decision and accused government officials of trying to take the easy way out.

CNN - Environment Minister Irene Vélez announced the culling plan.

Al Jazeera - Andrea Padilla, a senator and animal rights activist, opposed the culling plan.

WHAT:

DW.com - The Colombian government authorized plans to cull up to 80 hippos that are threatening local communities and ecosystems.

DW.com - An estimated 200 hippos currently roam freely in the Magdalena River basin, with projections suggesting their numbers could rise to around 1,000 by 2035 without intervention.

DW.com - The budget for the culling program is set at 7.2 billion pesos (€1.68 million).

DW.com - Proposed measures for the hippo population control include confinement and relocation, scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.

CNN - The hippos have become a tourist attraction, with local vendors offering hippo-themed souvenirs and hippo-spotting tours.

Al Jazeera - A study suggested that the hippos breed particularly quickly due to Colombia’s lush environment.

CNN - The hippos have been spotted in areas that are more than 100 kilometers (approximately 62 miles) north of Escobar’s former ranch.

CNN - The hippos are a major attraction at the Nápoles ranch, which now functions as a theme park featuring swimming pools, water slides, and a zoo with several other African species.

CNN - Over the past 12 years, spanning three presidential administrations, Colombia has attempted to neuter some of the hippos to reduce their population, but these initiatives have had limited scope due to high costs associated with capturing the animals and performing surgeries.

CNN - A study published by Colombia’s National University estimated that around 170 hippos were roaming freely in the country in 2022.

CNN - Environmental authorities in Colombia stated that the hippos pose a threat to villagers who have encountered them in farms and rivers.

CNN - The hippos can weigh over four tonnes and compete for food and space against local species such as river manatees.

CNN - Colombian officials authorized a plan to cull up to 80 hippos.

Al Jazeera - The hippos are considered an invasive species and pose a threat to local ecosystems.

CBS News World - The hippos are referred to as "cocaine hippos" due to their association with Pablo Escobar.

WHERE:

CNN - The hippos roam freely in a region in the center of Colombia, specifically around Hacienda Nápoles in the Magdalena River valley.

Al Jazeera - Hippos have been spotted up to 60 miles from Escobar’s former ranch.

WHEN:

CNN - The culling plan was announced on Monday, April 11th, 2026.

Al Jazeera - The hippos were introduced to Colombia in the 1980s by Pablo Escobar.

WHY:

DW.com - Environmental experts state that the hippos displace native species and disrupt fragile habitats, necessitating action to protect local ecosystems.

Al Jazeera - A study suggested that the hippos breed particularly quickly due to Colombia’s lush environment.

CNN - Previous attempts to control the hippo population, including neutering and relocation, have been limited in scope due to high costs associated with capturing the animals and performing surgeries.

CNN - Previous methods to control the hippo population, such as neutering and relocation, have been expensive and unsuccessful.

CNN - Vélez stated, “If we don’t do this we will not be able to control the population. We have to take this action to preserve our ecosystems.”

HOW:

DW.com - Previous attempts to control the hippo population included relocation and sterilization in 2022 and 2023, but these efforts produced no tangible results.

Al Jazeera - Previous attempts to control the hippo population included sterilization and capturing the animals to send them to zoos, but neither approach worked.

Al Jazeera - Previous methods to control the hippo population, such as sterilization and relocation, have been expensive and ineffective.

CNN - The culling will involve euthanizing the hippos as previous attempts at sterilization and relocation have failed.

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 17:20 UTC)

The Colombian government has authorized plans to cull up to 80 hippos that are threatening local communities and ecosystems, as an estimated 200 of these animals currently roam the Magdalena River basin. Environmental experts warn that without intervention, the hippo population could swell to around 1,000 by 2035, prompting a budget of 7.2 billion pesos, or about 1.68 million euros, for the culling program, which is set to begin in the second half of 2026. Previous attempts to manage the hippo population through relocation and sterilization in 2022 and 2023 have not yielded any significant results.

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 13:22 UTC)

Senator Andrea Padilla, an animal rights activist, has called the Colombian government's plan to cull hippos a "cruel" decision, accusing officials of opting for an easy solution. These hippos have become a popular tourist attraction, with local vendors selling souvenirs and offering tours for hippo spotting, while a study indicates that the animals breed rapidly in Colombia's lush environment. Previous efforts to manage the hippo population through sterilization and capturing them for zoos have proven ineffective.

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 07:21 UTC)

Hippos that once roamed the grounds of Escobar's former ranch have now been spotted over 100 kilometers north, raising concerns about their growing population in Colombia. These hippos are a major draw at the Nápoles ranch, which has transformed into a theme park complete with swimming pools, water slides, and a zoo featuring various African species. Despite efforts over the past 12 years to neuter some of the hippos, the initiatives have faced challenges due to high costs and the animals' rapid breeding in Colombia's lush environment.

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 05:41 UTC)

A recent study from Colombia’s National University revealed that around 170 hippos were roaming freely in the country last year, raising concerns among environmental authorities about the threat they pose to local villagers and wildlife. These massive animals, which can weigh over four tonnes, are competing for food and space with native species like river manatees, and previous efforts to control their population through neutering and relocation have been hindered by high costs. As a result, authorities have decided to move forward with a culling plan that will involve euthanizing the hippos, as past attempts at sterilization and relocation have not been successful.

(UPDATED April 13, 2026 23:14 UTC)

Colombian officials have authorized a controversial plan to cull up to 80 hippos, which are considered an invasive species threatening local ecosystems. Environment Minister Irene Vélez announced the plan on Monday, while senator and animal rights activist Andrea Padilla expressed her opposition to the culling, highlighting the hippos' association with Pablo Escobar as "cocaine hippos." Previous attempts to control the population through neutering and relocation have proven expensive and ineffective, prompting Vélez to emphasize the need for this drastic action to preserve Colombia's ecosystems.