Not for international hunters maybe, but for South Americans and maybe North Americans? I confess my ignorance I don't know if there are that many trophy hunters in South America, but surely there must be some?
Visiting the cocaine hippos of Colombia
- Thread starter DavidBrown
- Start date
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Yes, there are definitely wealthy trophy hunters in South & Central America and Mexico, have had conversations with some in the past who have travelled extensively to Africa , Europe, North America for big game hunting.
Its definitely not a phenomenon / pastime as popular or widespread as in the USA, Japan or Europe though so I think if trophy hunting was to be implemented to cull the hippos (which I think would be very challenging to do) I think it would have to be marketed mainly at Europeans, North Americans and maybe Japanese.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
I think like any situation with invasive species there are the usual issues relating to the human dimensions which have to be tackled before any culling could go ahead, these are :
- The local community - Same problem as everywhere really, there may be resistance encountered from the local community who are fond of these animals and do not wish to see them disappear and do not comprehend why they must. From the documentary I've watched and articles I've read about the issue of hippos the community seem to view them with fondness and as a novel attraction (in a way that native species like tapir aren't) and feature of their lives.
- Animal rights activists (both domestically and outside of Colombia) - You can guarantee that these parties will kick up a fuss about any plan to implement culling and use social media to great effect as propaganda against efforts. The added difficulty here is that hippos are large charismatic African megafauna and people are likely to listen to activists and oppose erradication.
- The government (both municipal and national)- The erradication of any invasive species is a costly endeavour in resources, time and money and it requires sustained effort to galvanise support from policy makers and an economic and political will that often just isn't there. Perhaps culling would not be seen as a priority by the national government (the environment seldom is ), maybe the municipal government of that department of the country would see it as the loss of a potential "tourist attraction" or oppose it for PR damage control reasons (if put under enough pressure by activists).
Last edited:
I saw this on a number of media news feeds today, I can see they are a growing problem with something that needs to be done about it. On the other hand when we only have two zoos within our own region with Hippos that are now struggling to hold on in the region it comes across as a bit of a waste.If they could not at least remove some of the young ones for US zoos even if they end up culling the adults!
ChIkEn NuGrEt
Well-Known Member
That would be an interesting idea to import them to zoos, but that would take a lot of work and they could potentially carry diseases and parasites that would put captive hippos at risk.
The Cassowary
Well-Known Member
Aren’t the hippos highly inbred as well? That would be another reason introducing them into the US zoo population is a bad idea, as they would not be useful for conservation breeding and would take up space that could be occupied by genetically healthy hippos.
ChIkEn NuGrEt
Well-Known Member
Oh yeah because I believe it started out with only four hippos, and now there are hundreds.
So why could they not quarantine them, tested and treated, as would any animal being transported internationally?
Most captive Hippos are inbred. So are the Hippos in the US bred with a stud book?
taun
Well-Known Member
Actually depends on the inbreeding, a little will not cause any significant impacts.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Yes, I think it is a bit of a waste too and I would prefer that at least some of the hippos would be taken into captivity by zoos.
I have no idea if any zoos around the world have expressed any interest in having them but fingers crossed that they will in the future.
Sadly though barring a few individuals that could be hypothetically rehomed by zoos the vast majority of these hippo herds will probably have to be culled.
Last edited:
Another recent story on the continuing problem. Nothing new really, except at the end they state the Columbian government will make a final decision by August (2021). In my opinion the only realistic solution is to kill them all.
Imported ‘Cocaine Hippos’ Running Wild In Colombia | TODAY - YouTube
Imported ‘Cocaine Hippos’ Running Wild In Colombia | TODAY - YouTube
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Thanks for sharing @Arizona Docent !
I'm glad to hear that the decision will be made by the government relatively soon.
As with all situations that involve invasive species the longer they wait before addressing the issue the bigger the problem will become which will eventually have to be solved.
Personally I think the most realistic solution is to eliminate through lethal control all of the hippo herds but I do hope that at least some of these individuals may be captured and find homes in zoos abroad.
Last edited:
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
I watched this short video from VICE on the invasive hippo population of Colombia and found it really interesting so thought I'd post it here as others may also.
Especially interesting (and worrying) is the bit which details how these animals have become part of a local economy (50,000 tourists visit to see the animals a year apparently) and how local communities therefore do not want to see the hippos culled.
Latest efforts to control population seem to be focusing on sterilization (over lethal control) but still there are some doubts about how effective this will be.
Especially interesting (and worrying) is the bit which details how these animals have become part of a local economy (50,000 tourists visit to see the animals a year apparently) and how local communities therefore do not want to see the hippos culled.
Latest efforts to control population seem to be focusing on sterilization (over lethal control) but still there are some doubts about how effective this will be.
I'm sure there are facilities in NA or Europe in need of new bloodlines. One such place is Homosassa Springs. They have a an eldery male hippo named Lou and once he passes they could replace him with a pair of Columbian hippos! Other zoos could have some as well. I understand the culling may be necessary but it'd be nice to give them a new home with zoos. If they decided to cull all of them, they should save some sperm samples from the males for use in AI for the captive populations so the hippos can still have a potential use after death.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Would that even be desireable though given that these particular hippos are probably extremely inbred by now ?
Agreed. But maybe some zoos (I'd say sanctuaries as well, but I don't know if there are many sanctuaries that take hippos) would still be willing to take one or more just for display.
And come on, "Pablo Escobar's hippo" would be a great selling point to get people into the zoo lol.
ChIkEn NuGrEt
Well-Known Member
Perhaps an invasive species exhibit?
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
I would like for zoos to take in some of these animals but this culling debate has been on the table and making the international news circuit regularly for many years now.
Despite it being in the news so far there haven't been any zoo people who have stepped forward and expressed any interest in taking any of the hippos so I think that says it all about the likelihood of something like that happening really.
I definitely agree with you though that one of "Pablo Escobar's hippos" would be popular among the zoo-going public.
Well, hunting of these animals by locals hasn't happened for almost three decades and in fact quite the opposite.
The fact is that local communities have embraced these animals and treat them as some sort of local mascot and evidently have come so fond of them that they oppose any attempts at culling (which IMO is a worrying development).
Moreover, despite having many problems Colombia isn't quite in the same situation as Haiti when it comes to malnutrition and starvation so I think you have the wrong idea of the country there.
Last edited: