Removing Pablo Escobar’s Hippos To Cost $3.5 Million. 60 Coming To India

Colombia had tried a sterilization program to manage the inhabitants, however it failed (File)

Bogot, Colombia:

Colombia mentioned Wednesday it was making progress on the switch of 70 hippos to abroad sanctuaries, however mitigating the havoc attributable to this uncommon legacy of lifeless druglord Pablo Escobar carries a hefty price ticket: $3.5 million.

The cocaine baron introduced a small variety of the African beasts to Colombia within the late Eighties. However after his loss of life in 1993 the animals have been left to roam freely in a sizzling, marshy space of Antioquia division, the place environmental authorities have been helpless to curb their numbers which now stand at 150 animals.

Authorities mentioned they plan to seize and transfer almost half of the hippopotamuses within the coming months, with 10 sure for the Ostok Sanctuary in northern Mexico and 60 destined for an as-yet unnamed facility in India.

“The entire operation ought to price round $3.5 million,” Ernesto Zazueta, proprietor of the Ostok Sanctuary, informed reporters.

He and governor Anibel Gaviria, of the Colombian area that’s residence to the hippos, say they plan to lure the animals with bait into pens the place they’ll stay confined earlier than being put in particular crates for the switch.

Colombia had tried a sterilization program to manage the inhabitants, however it failed.

The setting ministry declared the hippos an invasive species final 12 months, which opened the door to an eventual cull.

However the hippo switch plan is seen as a life-saving measure.

(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)