Colombia to cull hippo population founded by drug lord

What Happened

Colombia's environment ministry approved plans to cull up to 80 hippopotamuses roaming the country's central regions. The hippos descended from four animals brought by drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1980s. Population estimates reached 170 by 2022. Previous control attempts through sterilization and relocation failed. Officials cite threats to villagers and competition with native wildlife like manatees as reasons for the cull.

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