The Son of Indian Tycoon Offers to Relocate Colombia’s ‘Cocaine Hippos’ to India

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New Delhi: Anant Ambani, the son of tycoon Mukesh Ambani has proposed moving a group of wild hippos from Colombia to India, as authorities in the South American country consider killing the animals due to safety concerns.

The hippos, originally brought to Colombia by drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1980s, have multiplied along the Magdalena River and are now seen as a threat to people and the local ecosystem.

Ambani has asked the Colombian government to halt plans to cull around 80 hippos and instead allow their relocation to Vantara, a large wildlife rescue and conservation centre in Gujarat. He said the transfer would be carried out under expert supervision, with proper care and a specially designed habitat for the animals.

Vantara, located near Reliance’s Jamnagar complex, houses a wide range of animals and is promoted as one of the world’s largest conservation facilities. However, it has also faced criticism from experts over the scale of animals it takes in.

Ambani said the hippos deserve a humane solution, adding that they did not choose their situation. His proposal includes safe capture, transport and long-term care, though questions remain about whether Colombia will accept the plan.