Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleShweta SharmaWednesday 29 April 2026 14:59 BSTColumbia’s ‘cocaine hippo’ population is bigger than we thoughtColombia has approved a plan to cull 80 hippos, an invasive species whose population, originating from drug lord Pablo Escobar's private zoo, is expected to exceed 500 by 2030.The decision follows previous unsuccessful attempts to control the hippo population, which poses a threat to native species and local communities.Anant Ambani, son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has formally offered to relocate the 80 hippos to his Vantara animal centre in Gujarat, India.Ambani's proposal aims to suspend the euthanasia plan, offering lifelong care for the animals at his 2,500-acre facility.Animal welfare activists in Colombia oppose the culling, while the hippos have become a tourist attraction, and Vantara has previously faced scrutiny over animal sourcing, though it was exonerated by India's Supreme Court.In fullSon of Asian billionaire offers to save Pablo Escobar’s ‘cocaine hippos’ from cullingThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in