Wondering what are cocaine hippos? It has nothing to do with drug trafficking

Here's why Cocaine Hippos are making headlines:

I have heard of drug mules, but this is a new one. What’s the deal?
Oh, no, this has nothing to do with drug trafficking. This is the nickname given to the hippopotamuses imported by Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar for his private zoo decades ago, back when he held sway.


I see. But Escobar’s dead. What’s the furore now?
Yes. In fact, the problem started after Escobar was killed in 1993 and his estate seized by authorities. Other zoo animals were relocated but the hippos, being huge, were left there, probably with the assumption that they would eventually die.

I’m guessing they did not?
They didn’t just survive, they thrived. From an original four, there are now anywhere between 80 to 120 animals in Colombia’s waterways, making it the biggest hippo herd outside their native Africa.

Oops. Why is that a problem, though?
Well, hippos are an invasive species in Colombia. Scientists say if a part of their population is not culled now, there could be 1,400 specimens as early as 2034. A recent study suggests culling or castration of 30 animals a year to prevent this.

Culling sounds a bit extreme. Why not castration?
It’s not that this wasn’t tried out. Unfortunately, castrating a hippo is not like castrating a cat. We’re talking about animals that weigh close to 1,500 kg and can be aggressive. Not to mention the cost, of about $50,000. Only four hippos were sterilised between 2011 and 2019.

I see what you mean. So has Colombia begun castrating the “cocaine hippos”?
They would but there's a hitch. The locals seem to be rather fond of these hippos and there is outrage over the castration suggestion. One of the scientists who wrote the paper even had to deal with death threats.

Yikes. I gather that the hippos are safe for the time being then?
Yup, they are being protected by public opinion. So for now, they will keep multiplying.