Indian Billionaire Offers to Rescue Pablo Escobar’s 80 Hippos from Euthanasia in Colombia

Indian billionaire heir Anant Ambani has formally offered to relocate 80 hippos from Colombia to his wildlife sanctuary in India, proposing an alternative to the Colombian government’s plan to cull the animals. The hippos, descendants of four imported by drug kingpin Pablo Escobar in the 1980s, have become an ecological concern in Colombia, where their population has grown to approximately 160 and threatens native species.

Colombia’s Plan to Cull the Hippos

Colombia declared the hippos an invasive species after their population expanded uncontrollably along the Magdalena River basin. The animals, which have no natural predators in the region, have disrupted local ecosystems, displaced native wildlife, and posed risks to communities, including attacks on fishermen. In April 2026, the Colombian government announced a plan to euthanize 80 of the hippos, citing the failure of previous control measures such as sterilization.

The decision to cull the animals sparked international debate, with conservationists and animal rights advocates arguing for alternative solutions. Colombia had previously explored relocating the hippos to overseas sanctuaries, but the estimated cost of $3.5 million for such an operation presented a significant barrier.

Ambani’s Proposal: A Sanctuary in India

Anant Ambani, son of India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, submitted a formal request to the Colombian government on April 28, 2026, offering to house the 80 hippos at his wildlife conservation center, Vantara, in Gujarat, India. In a social media post, Ambani framed the proposal as a moral obligation, stating, These 80 hippos did not choose where to be born, nor did they create the circumstances they now face. These animals are living, sentient beings, and if we have the capacity to save them through a safe and humane solution, we have the responsibility to try.

Vantara, founded by Ambani in Jamnagar, Gujarat, is described as one of the world’s largest wildlife rescue and conservation centers. According to its official website, the sanctuary houses over 150,000 animals from more than 2,000 species, including elephants, tigers, lions, leopards, and crocodiles. The center has previously faced criticism from animal welfare groups, particularly after the relocation of an ailing elephant in 2025, which sparked protests over the conditions of the facility.

Ambani’s proposal emphasizes a safe, scientifically-led translocation to provide the hippos with lifelong care. The letter to Colombia’s environment minister, published on Vantara’s Instagram account, underscored the center’s capacity to manage large and complex animal relocations. However, the Colombian government has not yet responded publicly to the offer.

The Origins of Colombia’s “Cocaine Hippos”

The hippos at the center of the controversy trace their origins to Pablo Escobar’s private zoo at Hacienda Nápoles, a sprawling estate located approximately 250 kilometers northwest of Bogotá. In the 1980s, Escobar illegally imported four hippos—three females and one male—as part of his efforts to create one of Latin America’s largest private collections of exotic animals. After Escobar’s death in 1993, the hippos were left to roam freely, eventually establishing a population along the Magdalena River.

The region’s fertile and swampy conditions, combined with the absence of natural predators, allowed the hippos to thrive. Environmentalists in Colombia have warned that the animals’ presence has altered river ecosystems, outcompeted native species for resources, and introduced new pathogens. Despite efforts to control their population through sterilization and other methods, the hippos’ numbers have continued to grow, leading to the government’s decision to cull a portion of the herd.

International Reactions and Next Steps

Ambani’s proposal has drawn attention from global conservation groups, though some experts have raised concerns about the feasibility of relocating such a large number of hippos. The logistics of transporting the animals—each of which can weigh several tons—across continents present significant challenges, including the need for specialized enclosures, veterinary oversight, and long-term funding.

Colombia has not yet issued an official response to the offer. Previous attempts to relocate the hippos to sanctuaries in other countries have stalled due to financial and logistical constraints. If Ambani’s proposal is accepted, it would mark one of the largest international wildlife relocations in history, setting a precedent for how countries manage invasive species introduced by human activity.

For now, the fate of the 80 hippos remains uncertain. While Ambani’s intervention has offered a potential lifeline, the Colombian government must weigh the ecological risks of maintaining the animals in their current habitat against the complexities of a transcontinental relocation.