By Breaking Editor 
Colombia is set to launch a controversial culling initiative to manage its burgeoning hippo population, which was established by drug lord Pablo Escobar decades ago. The move comes as authorities grapple with an estimated population of around 130 hippos that have thrived in the country’s waterways since Escobar imported the animals to his estate in the 1980s.
Authorities have announced plans for euthanasia as the main strategy for controlling this invasive species, a decision that has sparked public debate and outcry. The hippos, which have no natural predators in Colombia, have rapidly increased their numbers, raising concerns about their impact on local ecosystems and agriculture, according to reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera.
Environmental experts warn that without intervention, the hippos could disrupt fragile ecosystems and pose risks to local communities. Critics of the culling program argue for alternative solutions, such as sterilization, despite previous challenges associated with such procedures for large animals.
This drastic measure reflects Colombia’s unique predicament as the only country outside Africa to harbor a wild hippo population. As the government prepares to implement the culling, the issue has captured widespread attention on social media, with posts highlighting both the ecological implications and the historical context of the animals in Colombian society.