Colombia is grappling with an unusual ecological problem: a fast-growing population of hippos, descendants of a small group brought in by notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar. This exotic invasion, escalating much faster than anticipated, is threatening native wildlife and sparking concerns among environmentalists and locals alike. The illicit hippo import took place decades ago, when […]
Tag: hippo
Hippos Are in Trouble. Will an Endangered Listing Save Them?
Thanks to years of campaigning by wildlife conservation groups, it’s widely known that Africa’s elephants and rhinos are threatened by the trade in their valuable tusks and horns. Laws and regulations have been tightened, and in many countries it’s now difficult, if not impossible, to legally sell elephant and rhino products. Less well known is […]
Pablo Escobar’s ‘Cocaine Hippos’ Threatening Colombia’s Biodiversity
A group of hippos introduced to Colombia by drug cartel leader Pablo Escobar in the 1990s is causing concern among researchers and conservationists. After Escobar’s death, the hippos were left to establish themselves in Colombia’s Magdalena River and nearby lakes, and their population has multiplied to around 150 individuals. Scientists now worry that the environment […]
Urgent Measures Needed to Prevent the Extinction of Hippos, a Vital Species in African Ecosystems
Hippos are one of the most iconic and beloved animals in the world. But they are also facing a dire situation that could push them towards extinction. Despite a population decline in recent years, the United States continues to import hippo parts at an alarming rate. Between 2009 and 2018, the US imported over 9,000 […]
Petition: Pressure the UK Parliament to Ban the Trading of Hippo Teeth
The UK Ivory Act and other measures have been incredibly important as elephant ivory is now almost banned around the world. Elephants are an endangered species so this was a very crucial victory for them and the people who care about them. However, poachers are now killing hippos to collect their teeth in response. Hippos […]
Fuming hippo chases terrified tourists as safari comes inches away from jaws of beast
A furious hippo has chased down a boat packed with safari-going tourists who found themselves just inches away from the jaws of a wild beast. The now-viral video showcased tourists aboard a speedboat, taking in the sights of their surroundings and a close-by hippopotamus that took more than an interest in them. They were just […]
Insanely Cute Pygmy Hippo Baby Born at Virginia Zoo Takes First Tiny Steps
There are some things in life that are just too darn cute, and baby hippos are one of them. Add to the mix a miniaturized version and it absolutely can’t get any cuter. No way, no how, not happening. That’s the case with footage capturing an endangered pygmy hippopotamus calf taking its first tiny steps. […]
Hippo Swallows 2-Year-Old Boy in Uganda Before Spitting Him Back Out!
Here’s one for the books: a 2-year-old boy living in Uganda was swallowed head-first by a hippo before spitting him back out and making a hasty retreat. Sound made up? Definitely, but according to news reports, it really did happen. The child is a resident of Katwe Kabatoro Town Council in the western Kasese District […]