The son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani has proposed to relocate 80 hippos from Colombia to India in an effort to address the invasive species problem in the South American country. Anant Ambani formally requested permission from Colombian authorities to transfer the animals to his Vantara animal center in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

The hippos are descendants of a small group originally imported illegally in the 1980s by the late drug lord Pablo Escobar for his private zoo at Hacienda Napoles, his sprawling estate in Colombia. Following Escobar’s death in 1993, most zoo animals were moved elsewhere; however, the hippos remained due to the logistical challenges of relocating large aquatic mammals.

Since their introduction, the hippos have multiplied rapidly in Colombia’s river systems, benefiting from an absence of natural predators and an abundant aquatic environment. The population, which began with just four individuals left behind at the estate, has ballooned to more than 100 and is projected to surpass 500 by 2030 if no effective management measures are implemented.

Colombian officials recently approved a controversial plan to cull the animals after prior attempts to control the population—such as castration—proved costly and largely ineffective. The government’s decision has drawn attention to the difficulties of managing invasive species whose growth threatens native ecosystems.

Anant Ambani’s offer aims to provide an alternative solution by transferring a portion of the hippos to a controlled environment in India, where they could be cared for in a conservation setting. The proposal is currently under review by Colombian authorities as they weigh options to mitigate ecological impact while addressing public safety and animal welfare concerns.

The situation highlights the complex challenges posed by introduced species and the balancing act required between environmental stewardship, ethical treatment of animals, and practical feasibility in managing non-native wildlife populations.