The son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani has offered to take in Colombia's infamous hippos, descendants of animals illegally imported by drug lord Pablo Escobar. Anant Ambani's private zoo, Vantara, in Gujarat state, says it is willing to provide lifelong care for the herd.
Colombia has long struggled with the hippos, which have multiplied since Escobar's death in 1993. Initially a male and female, the population has grown to an estimated 80, with no natural predators and ideal swampy conditions. The government recently decided to cull some of the animals, a move that drew criticism from animal rights groups.
In a letter to Colombia's environment minister, the CEO of Vantara zoo wrote, "At the heart of this proposal is Vantara's belief that every life matters and that we have a shared responsibility to protect life wherever possible." The zoo, spread over 3,500 acres, houses 2,000 species, including elephants and tigers. It was also the venue for Anant Ambani's lavish pre-wedding celebrations in 2024.
Colombia has not yet responded to the offer. Environmentalists consider the hippos an invasive species that displace native fauna, and fishing communities along the Magdalena River have reported attacks. The hippos, some weighing up to three tonnes, are the largest herd outside Africa.
Escobar's ranch, Hacienda Nápoles, where the hippos originally roamed, lies about 250 km northwest of Bogotá. After his death, the animals were left to roam free and have thrived in the region's fertile wetlands.