health
Newborn "cocaine hippo" linked to drug lord Pablo Escobar is rescued in Colombia
Authorities in northwestern Colombia said they rescued a newborn hippopotamus found alone by fishermen on the banks of a river and showing signs of malnutrition.
TL;DR
- A newborn hippopotamus was rescued in northwestern Colombia after being found alone and suffering from dehydration and malnutrition.
- The hippo is part of a population of around 200 descended from animals brought to Colombia by drug kingpin Pablo Escobar.
- These hippos are considered an invasive species, disrupting the ecosystem, killing fish, and threatening native wildlife.
- Authorities have approved a plan to cull approximately 80 hippos due to the failure of sterilization efforts and the high cost of relocation.
- The rescued calf was transferred to a hippo sanctuary at Hacienda Napoles, Escobar's former estate.