Ask Onix
Indian billionaire's son proposes solution for Colombia's hippo crisis
Anant Ambani, son of Asia's wealthiest individual Mukesh Ambani, has offered to transfer Colombia's controversial hippo herd to his private zoo in Gujarat, India. The animals, descendants of a pair illegally imported by drug lord Pablo Escobar, have become an ecological concern in Colombia.
The origins of Colombia's hippo problem
Escobar, who was killed in a police operation in 1993, had brought a male and female hippopotamus to his luxury estate, Hacienda Nápoles, located 250 kilometers northwest of Bogotá. After his death, the animals were left to roam freely and multiplied along the Magdalena River basin.
The absence of natural predators and the region's fertile, swampy conditions allowed the African species to thrive, turning them into an invasive threat to local ecosystems.
Colombia's struggle to control the herd
Colombian authorities have attempted various methods to curb the hippo population, including castration, but these efforts have proven ineffective. The government recently decided to cull approximately 80 of the estimated 170 animals, a move that has sparked debate among environmentalists and local communities.
Environmentalists argue that the hippos, now the largest herd outside Africa, have displaced native wildlife. Meanwhile, fishing communities along the Magdalena River have reported attacks by the massive animals, with adult males weighing up to three tons.
Ambani's offer and Vantara zoo's capacity
In a letter addressed to Colombia's environment minister, the CEO of Vantara zoo stated that the facility is prepared to provide "lifelong care" for the hippos in India. The proposal was shared on the zoo's Instagram account, emphasizing a commitment to "protect life wherever possible."
"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."
Vantara Zoo's official statement
Vantara, spanning 3,500 acres in Jamnagar, Gujarat, is home to 2,000 species, including elephants and tigers. The zoo is located near Mukesh Ambani's world's largest oil refinery and gained global attention as a venue for Anant Ambani's high-profile pre-wedding celebrations in 2024.
Controversies and Colombia's response
Wildlife activists and conservationists have criticized Vantara for housing animals in a region with a hot and dry climate, which they argue is unsuitable for certain species. Colombia's government has not yet responded to Ambani's offer.
Escobar, known as the "cocaine king," built a $30 billion fortune through drug trafficking, primarily to the U.S. His criminal empire was marked by violence, including kidnappings, murders, and bombings, as well as a brief stint as an elected politician.
