“Invasive Cocaine Hippos” Are Attacking Colombians

Vice News reports:

The environmentally invasive descendants of four “cocaine hippos” from Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar’s private zoo now have their eyes set on a new target: People. There have been reports of hippos invading a school yard, as well as terrorizing local fishing communities with some residents requiring hospital care after ferocious attacks.

Many are now worried that the hippos, which have since multiplied to a population of nearly 170 in 40 years, will become an even bigger threat if they continue to reproduce at the same speed.

This comes just three months after Colombia’s government pledged millions of dollars on a plan to cull the nearly 170 hippos as they have become one of the largest invasive species in the world, destroying South America’s soil while also poisoning waterways and killing fish.

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After being declared one of the world’s largest invasive species, the 169 descendants of Pablo Escobar’s four “cocaine hippos” are now apparently also attacking people. pic.twitter.com/iCDH0KFoDI

— VICE News (@VICENews) February 5, 2024