Indian Billionaire's Son Offers to Relocate Colombia's 'Cocaine Hippos'

The news that Anant Ambani, son of Asia's second-richest man Mukesh Ambani, has offered to relocate Colombia's infamous "cocaine hippos" to his private zoo in India has certainly captured global attention. From our perspective at Dagens Nyheter, this highlights the complex legacy of Pablo Escobar's exotic animal collection and the ongoing challenges Colombia faces in managing these invasive species.

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we are ready to give the herd "lifelong care" in India

While the Colombian government grapples with the decision of whether to cull a portion of the hippopotamus population, which has grown to around 200 animals since Escobar's death, Ambani's offer presents an intriguing, albeit unconventional, solution. The Vantara zoo's commitment to providing "lifelong care" and their belief that "every life counts" is a noble sentiment. However, the practicalities and diplomatic implications of such a transfer remain to be seen.

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the core of this proposal is Vantara's belief that every life counts and that we have a shared responsibility to protect life where possible

This situation is viewed differently here than it might be in Western media. While international outlets may focus on the sensational aspect of "cocaine hippos" and the billionaire's zoo, our local focus is on the ecological impact on the Magdalena River region and the safety concerns for local communities. The debate over culling versus relocation is fierce, with animal rights activists calling it a potential "massacre" and local business owners worried about the impact on tourism. The hippos, though not native, have been in Colombia for decades and are seen by some as part of the local landscape, a sentiment that complicates any swift resolution.

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We do not want to see a dead hippopotamus. They are no longer African. They are Colombian, born and raised here for over 30 years