Anant Ambani, the son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has offered to provide a new home for the hippos in Colombia that are descended from those originally brought to the country by drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, according to a report by France 24.
On Tuesday, Ambani announced his intention to take in the animals to prevent a government decision to kill them. The hippos, a remnant of Escobar's private zoo, have caused significant disruption to river ecosystems across the South American nation.
Ambani stated that he has already submitted a formal request to the Colombian government to stay the execution of the animals. The move seeks to find a permanent solution for the population that has grown unchecked in Colombia's waterways.
A threat to local ecosystems
The hippo population has wreaked havoc on rivers throughout the region. As the animals multiply, their presence has become a growing environmental and safety concern for local communities living near the riverbanks.
By offering a sanctuary, the Indian billionaire's son aims to mitigate the damage caused by the invasive species without resorting to lethal measures. The proposal follows a period of increasing pressure on the Colombian authorities to address the biological impact of the escaped animals.
