Indian billionaire Anant Ambani, son of Mukesh Ambani, has offered to take in the “cocaine hippos” from Colombia. These hippos, descendants of those introduced by drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, have caused havoc on Colombian rivers.
Anant Ambani formally requested the Colombian government not to kill these animals. Instead, he proposed a safe, scientifically-led translocation to his Vantara animal center in Gujarat, India.
Vantara is one of the world’s largest wildlife rescue centers, already housing hundreds of elephants and other species. The hippos are native only to Africa and can weigh up to several tons.
After Escobar’s death, these hippos made a new life in Colombia’s Magdalena River banks, attacking fishermen and prompting moves to cull them. Colombia declared them an invasive species due to their population growth.
The Colombian government previously arranged for the possible transfer of hippos to overseas sanctuaries but found it expensive — an estimated $3.5 million. Anant Ambani submitted a detailed plan for capturing and transporting the hippos, creating a naturalistic setting at Vantara.
“Vantara has the expertise, infrastructure, and resolve to support this effort, entirely on Colombia’s terms,” the statement said. “These 80 hippos did not choose where they were born or the circumstances they now face. They are living, sentient beings, and if we have the ability to save them through a safe and humane solution, we have a responsibility to try.”
The hippos are one of the main attractions at Nápoles ranch, confiscated from Escobar’s properties and now functioning as a theme park with a zoo featuring several African species. Colombian President Gustavo Petro handed over part of Escobar’s ranch to women caught in the nation’s armed conflict last October.
Animal welfare activists oppose proposals to kill the hippos, arguing they deserve to live due to their large size and impact on the local ecosystem. They say addressing the problem through violence sets a poor example for Colombia, which has gone through decades of internal conflict.”