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Colombia Plans to Euthanize Dozens of 'Cocaine Hippos,' Descendants of Animals Brought by Notorious Drug Trafficker Pablo Escobar

Smithsonian Magazine·Sarah Kuta·about 2 months ago
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If nothing is done to control the invasive creatures, officials estimate the population could grow to 1,000 animals by 2035. So, they aim to cull about 80 individuals later this year Nearly 200 hippos are estimated to roam in Colombia. Raul Arboleda / AFP via Getty Images Colombia is taking aim at its invasive hippopotamus population. This week, the government announced plans to euthanize dozens of the hulking animals, which are causing ecological and safety issues in the South American country. “It is out of responsibility to our ecosystems that we must take these actions,” said Irene Vélez , Colombia’s environment minister, at a press conference on April 13, as reported by  El País ’ Lucas Reynoso. Colombia is home to nearly 200 hippos, which are the descendants of  four animals  brought to the country illegally by drug trafficker  Pablo Escobar  in the early 1980s.…

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