Rescued baby hippo from Pablo Escobar's descendants dies in Colombia

Thursday 06 August 2026 - 09:15

By: Sahili Aya

Rescued baby hippo from Pablo Escobar's descendants dies in Colombia

A rescued baby hippopotamus belonging to the descendants of Pablo Escobar's infamous wild herd has died in Colombia after veterinarians were unable to reverse the severe health problems it suffered before being brought into care.

The calf, estimated to be around two weeks old, was discovered alone by fishermen along a river in the department of Antioquia, where it had apparently become separated from its mother. Hidden among dense riverside vegetation, the young animal was found in a weakened state and immediately transferred to wildlife specialists for treatment.

According to regional environmental authorities, the hippo was suffering from chronic dehydration, severe malnutrition, and acute gastrointestinal complications upon arrival at the rescue facility. Despite intensive veterinary care, the calf's condition continued to deteriorate, and it later died.

The animal was part of the unusual hippopotamus population that traces its origins to the private zoo once owned by Colombian drug trafficker Pablo Escobar. After his death in 1993, several hippos remained on the grounds of Hacienda Nápoles, and over the decades they reproduced in the surrounding rivers and wetlands, creating the world's largest wild hippo population outside Africa.

Authorities estimate that approximately 200 hippopotamuses now roam freely in the region. While the animals have become a symbol of one of Colombia's most extraordinary environmental legacies, their growing numbers continue to raise concerns among conservation experts because they are considered an invasive species capable of altering ecosystems and affecting native wildlife.

The death of the rescued calf highlights both the fragility of orphaned wild animals and the broader challenges facing Colombian authorities as they seek long-term solutions for managing an expanding hippo population that remains closely linked to the country's complex history.