May 11th, 2026 - Colombia Debates Euthanizing Pablo Escobar’s Growing Hippo Herd

In Colombia, the descendants of hippos once owned by drug lord Pablo Escobar have become a growing problem for communities near the Magdalena River. What began with four animals brought to Escobar’s private estate in the 1980s has turned into a population of roughly 200 wild hippos, with scientists warning the number could climb above 1,000 by 2035.

The animals have become both a tourist attraction and a serious environmental concern. In Doradal, residents sell hippo tours and see the animals as part of the town’s identity, but fishermen and conservationists say the hippos are disrupting local life, damaging waterways, and threatening native species such as manatees and capybaras.

Colombian officials have tried several ways to control the population, including relocation and castration, but both options have proven difficult, expensive, and dangerous. Because the hippos have no natural predators in Colombia, their numbers have continued to grow, leading the government to approve a controversial plan to euthanize dozens of them.

The proposal has divided residents, animal rights groups, and conservation experts. Some argue that killing the animals is cruel because they are not responsible for Escobar’s decision to bring them to Colombia, while others say delaying action could cause greater harm to people, wildlife, and the environment.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Paragon (noun, PAIR-uh-gahn) - Paragon is a formal word that refers to a person or thing that is perfect or excellent in some way and should be considered a model or example to be copied.

Example: In Arthurian legend, Sir Galahad is depicted as a paragon of virtue.

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