Indian billionaire's son offers to move Escobar's hippos from Colombia
2026-04-29 12:23:03
TiranaPost
An unusual offer has come from India to solve a problem that has been troubling Colombia for years: the uncontrolled population of hippos once brought in by the famous drug trafficker Pablo Escobar.
Anant Ambani, the son of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has expressed his willingness to accept and care for these hippos at his private Vantara zoological park, located in the Indian state of Gujarat.
How did the problem start?
In the 1980s, Escobar illegally brought several exotic animals to his luxury estate, including a pair of hippos. After his death in 1993, the animals were left free and multiplied rapidly.
Today, their number has reached over 100 individuals and they are considered an invasive species, endangering the local ecosystem and surrounding communities.
Anant Ambani has stated that he is willing to transfer these hippos to India, where they would live in controlled conditions and with professional care in an environment suitable for them.
So far, Colombian authorities have not given an official response to this offer. The country is currently considering various methods to control the hippo population, including sterilization and relocation.
