Colombia: Baby hippo rescued from Pablo Escobar's former herd

A baby hippopotamus, part of the infamous herd descended from drug lord Pablo Escobar's private zoo, has been rescued in northwestern Colombia. The young animal was discovered by fishermen along a riverbank, showing signs of severe malnutrition and dehydration.

According to Colombia's Ministry of Environment, approximately 200 hippos now roam freely in the country, all descendants of the animals imported by Escobar in the 1980s for his Hacienda Napoles estate. After his death in 1993, these hippos escaped and established themselves along the Magdalena River, disrupting the local ecosystem and leading to documented attacks on fishermen.

The rescued calf was found separated from its mother and hidden in bushes near Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia. Veterinarians treated the animal for advanced dehydration and malnutrition before transferring it to a sanctuary at Hacienda Napoles, which now operates as a theme park. The hippos are considered an invasive species, posing a threat to the environment and public safety.

This rescue comes as the Colombian government grapples with managing the growing hippo population. Earlier this year, a plan was approved to euthanize around 80 of the animals, following unsuccessful attempts at population control through sterilization. The herd in Colombia is the largest population of hippos outside of Africa.

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advanced dehydration and malnutrition