The biologist spoke about the difficulties of catching Pablo Escobar's hippos in Colombia

Capturing hippos from the private zoo of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar for subsequent transportation to Russia and other countries will take time and considerable effort. This was announced on May 28 by Andres Garcia Londo, a biologist and member of the Bioethos Conservation Foundation.

"There have been few attempts to transport (such animals — Ed.). Only four (relocations — Ed.) have been implemented in the entire history, as the risks are high. Firstly, because these are animals living in groups," Garcia Londo told RIA Novosti.

The biologist explained that capturing hippos is hampered by their behavior: when trying to euthanize and take away one animal, the others begin to protect it. According to him, to capture it is necessary to build pens and lure individuals one at a time, but the process remains difficult and lengthy.

"Therefore, it is necessary to build pens, lure them one at a time, euthanize and transport them... This is not such an easy process. It takes time... The behemoths' reaction will be to protect their kindred... They will attack whatever threatens them," the biologist explained.

The expert added that there is a risk of drowning an animal with an excessive dose of tranquilizers if it goes into the water, as well as the need to select sedatives with long-lasting effects for safe transportation, including intercontinental. He stressed that stress during transportation can further threaten the health of hippos.

It is separately noted that four hippos were brought by Pablo Escobar to Colombia in the 1980s, and after his death, the animals began to actively reproduce. Their population, according to experts, damages the ecosystem of the country. On April 13, the government announced plans to launch a program of "euthanasia" of hippos to curb the growth of their population, which is projected to reach 500 individuals by 2030. As part of the program, in the second half of 2026, it is planned to select about 80 animals for the procedure.

On May 20, Svetlana Akulova, General Director of the Moscow Zoo, announced the launch of a large-scale campaign to save 80 hippos from Colombia. As it became known, GOZA sent an official appeal to the Colombian government with a proposal for an alternative to euthanasia. Instead of mass extermination, the organization calls for the relocation of giants to accredited global institutions.