Colombia sterilizes 24 hippos on former estate of drug lord Escobar [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Last edited Sat Oct 16, 2021, 01:07 AM - Edit history (1)

By AFP
Published October 15, 2021

Handout photo released by CORNARE of hippos at a care centre in Doradal, Antioquia Department, northeast of Bogota, Colombia bon October 15, 2021 - Copyright AFP/File STR

Twenty-four out of 80 hippopotamuses roaming on the former ranch of the late Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar were sterilized due to the “uncontrolled” spreading of this “invasive” species, authorities said on Friday.

Before he was shot dead by police in 1993, the notorious Escobar had purchased a number of exotic animals to live on his ranch, including flamingos, giraffes, zebras and kangaroos.

After his death, all but the hippopotamuses were sold to zoos.

Escobar originally acquired a single male and female hippos.

They were left to roam on his Hacienda Napoles estate, which has since been converted into a theme park, as they were considered to large to try to move, but since then their numbers have multiplied.

Read more: https://www.digitaljournal.com/world/colombia-sterilizes-24-hippos-on-former-estate-of-drug-lord-escobar/article#ixzz79QWsgsXJ