Save Escobar's Hippos

Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
April 16, 2026

President of the Republic of Colombia
Casa de Nariño
Bogotá, Colombia

Subject: Formal Petition for the Suspension of the Culling of the "Cocaine Hippos" and the Implementation of Ethical Management Alternatives

Dear Mr. President,

We, the undersigned citizens and members of the international conservation community, write to you today with a sense of urgency and compassion regarding the management of the hippopotamus population (Hippopotamus amphibius) currently inhabiting the Magdalena River basin—descendants of the animals originally brought to Hacienda Nápoles.

While we recognize the significant ecological challenges and the potential risks to local biodiversity and human safety posed by this invasive species, we respectfully urge your administration to immediately halt any plans for the lethal culling of these sentient beings. Instead, we request the prioritization of humane, non-lethal management strategies.

Our Concerns
The decision to cull these animals has sparked significant ethical debate. We believe that a nation as committed to "Peace with Nature" as Colombia should lead the way in finding innovative, compassionate solutions to human-wildlife conflict. The primary reasons for our opposition to the cull include:

Animal Welfare: Hippopotamuses are highly social and intelligent creatures. Mass extermination is a violent approach that causes immense suffering and distress to the herds.

Ethical Responsibility: These animals are in Colombia due to human actions. It is our collective responsibility to rectify this situation without resorting to slaughter.

Global Precedent: The world is watching how Colombia handles this unique crisis. A humane resolution would solidify Colombia's reputation as a global leader in environmental ethics and animal rights.

Proposed Alternatives
We advocate for a multi-faceted approach that balances ecological integrity with the right to life for these animals:

Mass Sterilization and Immunocontraception: Accelerating the current programs using chemical contraceptives (like GonaCon) or surgical sterilization to ensure the population does not continue to grow.

Relocation to International Sanctuaries: Strengthening partnerships with international wildlife sanctuaries and zoos (notably in India and Mexico) that have already expressed interest in providing a permanent, contained home for these individuals.

Enhanced Physical Containment: Investing in robust fencing and natural barriers in specific zones to prevent the expansion of the population into new territories and to protect local communities.

Ecotourism Management: Developing controlled, safe educational tourism that funds the long-term care and containment of the existing population without allowing for further breeding.

Our Request
Mr. President, we ask that you exercise your executive authority to:

Issue a moratorium on the culling of the hippopotamuses.

Convene a technical committee including animal welfare experts, ethicists, and biologists to finalize a 100% non-lethal management plan.

Allocate the necessary resources to expedite relocation and sterilization efforts.

Colombia has the opportunity to show that even the most complex environmental "mistakes" can be solved with heart and ingenuity rather than violence. We trust in your vision for a more humane and sustainable future.

Respectfully,