Roberta De Carolis Hippos threaten the environment: for this reason, Colombian justice has ordered the eradication of the herd of hippos that populate the north-east of the country. Among the measures, sterilization but also "controlled" hunting
@Canva
Probably from Africa, notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar imported four hippos between the 1970s and 1980s. Since then, the population of Colombian hippos, the only one outside Africa, has grown to around 160.
Like most events that involve the introduction of alien species, the result has been disastrous to the ecosystem. In most events, such alien animals lack predators or adjust to habitats where nature did not intend them to exist, hence producing ecological imbalances.
The same is the case with the community of Colombian hippos. The subregion of Antioquia, better known as Magdalena Medio, has been facing one of the longest environmental crises for a long period of time. The presence and free breeding of these hippos have constituted major challenges for the local ecosystem and communities.
The Court orders complete eradication
For this reason, the Administrative Court of Cundinamarca, through a sentence, ordered the complete eradication of the specimens of this species, given that the different authorities have not implemented efficient measures concerning the case, especially in the municipality of Puerto Triunfo.
According to local media, hippos are posing a serious threat to biodiversity in the area: native species like otters, turtles, manatees, striped catfish, mammals, birds, and plants-they are all affected by the invasive species. Science managed to prove their negative impact on the environment, yet their proliferation was never able to be stopped by authorities.
After arguments were presented, the court ruled that the environmental authority should take steps to extinguish the species; however, it would have to be with the consensus of the scientific community. These hippos, between 2007 and 2024, have been the subject of various studies by the scientific community regarding their characteristics, origin, and environmental impact.
Of course, authorized actions have to be realized in the short and long run. Among these, the court ordered that the Colombian Ministry of Environment would have to regulate measures concerning the eradication of the species within the following three months.
Among the measures, there is sterilization, along with “controlled hunting“. Furthermore, guidelines on humane execution and disposal of the remains need to be provided based on principles of ecological balance, animal welfare, and prohibition of cruel treatments.
The ruling also provides for monitoring and hunting of hippos in their common areas of roaming to curtail their dispersal. The government will finance relocations and sterilizations of captured hippos; some hippos are to be relocated to Hacienda Nápoles Theme Park, which must be enlarged to accommodate them.
Sterilizing hippos is neither easy nor inexpensive, as males and females both have internal reproductive organs, and anesthesia is possible for only up to one hour at a time. If a hippo happened to wake up during the process, it would most likely attack the veterinary staff.
Once again, human mistakes become very costly with the animals involved.
