Ambani’s son offers to relocate 80 cocaine hippos to India’s Vantara zoo
Ambani’s son offers to relocate 80 cocaine hippos to India’s Vantara zoo
Anant Ambani proposes moving 80 Colombian 'cocaine hippos' to his Vantara center in Jamnagar to avert a cull.
Anant Ambani, the son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has stepped into one of Colombia’s most controversial wildlife debates by offering to relocate 80 of Pablo Escobar’s infamous cocaine hippos to his private animal center, Vantara, in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The move comes after officials in Colombia approved a plan to euthanise up to 80 hippos as the population — currently around 200 — is projected to surge past 500 by 2030 if left unchecked. Ambani’s démarche centers on suspending the euthanasia and considering lifelong care for the animals at Vantara, the letter from the zoo’s management says, signaling a potential cross-border conservation effort.
The hippos, imported in the 1980s for Escobar’s private zoo at Hacienda Nápoles, remain in the wild along Colombia’s Magdalena River basin. With no natural predators and ample water, their numbers have grown rapidly since Escobar’s death in 1993, turning the species into a contentious invasive presence in the region. After previous attempts to control the population, including castration, proved expensive or ineffective, the Colombian government recently approved a plan to cull a portion of the herd. Ambani’s offer introduces a high-profile alternative that could reshape the debate on how best to manage the animals while balancing local safety and biodiversity concerns.
Vantara Zoo, run by Ambani’s venture, has stated its willingness to take in 80 hippos for lifelong care, should the government approve the relocation. If accepted, the move would mark one of the most notable wildlife transfers across continents, raising questions about logistics, ecological impact, and the responsibility of private actors in global conservation. While supporters argue relocation could provide a humane solution and alleviate safety concerns for locals and tourists, critics warn about the complexities of long-term care and the broader implications for Colombia’s native ecosystems. The conversation continues in both Bogotá and Jamnagar as officials weigh ethical, practical, and ecological considerations.
