Indian billionaire heir Anant Ambani offers to take in 80 ‘cocaine hippos’ that Colombia wants to cull
By Anabella González
Published on April 29, 2026.
Indian billionaire heir Anant Ambani has offered to relocate 80 'cocaine hippos' that Colombia is planning to cull. The hippos, introduced to Colombia in the 1980s by Pablo Escobar, have a population of around 160 individuals and their presence is threatening native species. Ambani, the founder of Vantara, has proposed to house the animals at his wildlife sanctuary in India. If approved, the relocation would be carried out in strict accordance with the necessary approvals, permits, due diligence processes, biosecurity requirements, and logistical planning. The Colombian government is currently considering the culling of 80 of these animals due to the uncontrolled growth of the invasive species in the Magdalena River basin.
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