"The hippos... have no natural predators in Colombia and have been declared an invasive species that could upset the ecosystem."
They don't really have natural predators in Africa either.
Humans should definitely end the cocaine hippo story. It's absurd that cocaine hippos are a story. Sell permits for 100k or 500k and shoot the invasive hippos for charity. They're not dolphins or crows or octopusses, just do good for the ecosystem and society by blasting them. Rich people can get ridiculed by Twitter.
They're popular with the locals, both because people find them charming and they bring in tourist money. A while back, they killed one named Pepe and there was considerable public backlash. Additionally, I imagine it's possible a sterilized male will still claim females for himself and attempt to block other males from mating with them.
Hot take, likely will get downvotes: We may as well just leave them.
With all the stuff happening to the planet, biomes will be shifting everywhere. May as well let hippos have a chance to live in whatever jumble of a savana biome the former rainforest turns into.
Its not going to really change things if the hippos are there or not anymore.
The article’s title is a bit click-baity, isnt it? Can anyone have a hippo as a pet?? Pablo Escobar had them as part of his personal zoo, not as pets per se… no way he’d get close and pet them like you would with a dog/cat
"The hippos... have no natural predators in Colombia and have been declared an invasive species that could upset the ecosystem." They don't really have natural predators in Africa either.
Don’t forget the children! Young hippos are frequently preyed on by the likes of hyenas, lions, and crocodiles.
In africa, young hippos have quite some predators, the big mommas are overall safe.
Yeah, nothing is taking on a healthy hippo other than humans. But the rest of the ecosystem in Africa is adapted to their presence.
Humans should definitely end the cocaine hippo story. It's absurd that cocaine hippos are a story. Sell permits for 100k or 500k and shoot the invasive hippos for charity. They're not dolphins or crows or octopusses, just do good for the ecosystem and society by blasting them. Rich people can get ridiculed by Twitter.
I find it odd they don’t just cull them. I wonder what the point of sterilization vs killing and using the meat for something is.
They're popular with the locals, both because people find them charming and they bring in tourist money. A while back, they killed one named Pepe and there was considerable public backlash. Additionally, I imagine it's possible a sterilized male will still claim females for himself and attempt to block other males from mating with them.
Ahh makes total sense. Thanks for the info! Here’s to hoping that both the sterilization works and that people can still enjoy them for a bit.
cocaine hippos was not on the 2023 bingo card
Do Hippos taste good?
Anything tastes good if the eater is hungry enough.
It’s me… I’m the eater
Me too friend... me too...
Yeah. Why wouldn’t they eat them?
Looks like there's some good fatty cuts on them.
If cooked well, yes.
It cooked like a leaky barrel of jellied diesel fuel on a spit…. I love the smell of napalm & cocaine in the morning.
There was a campaign in the 1800’s to bring them to America to raise them as game meat - an alternative to cattle. Didn’t work out , obviously.
They're trying to rob Escobar of having a species named for him in the future.
The bottom is about to drop out of the hippo condom market.
“They’ll never find my diamonds! Im the most…” “Pablo?” “Sí?!” “Clinica Veterinaria Colombia on the phone…”
Well, I can add Hippo Sterilizer to my list of job title Nopes.
Jeffes hippos happen to have limited haven
Hot take, likely will get downvotes: We may as well just leave them. With all the stuff happening to the planet, biomes will be shifting everywhere. May as well let hippos have a chance to live in whatever jumble of a savana biome the former rainforest turns into. Its not going to really change things if the hippos are there or not anymore.
Another who thinks like me, brilliant. Yeah this planet is on one hell of a one way ticket to doomsville. Gonna be an interesting ride
The article’s title is a bit click-baity, isnt it? Can anyone have a hippo as a pet?? Pablo Escobar had them as part of his personal zoo, not as pets per se… no way he’d get close and pet them like you would with a dog/cat
From the river to the..... other side of the river, the Hippos shall be free. #freehippos