Anant Ambani Steps In to Save Pablo Escobar’s Cocaine Hippos

Anant Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday offered to breed descendants of hippos that drug lord Pablo Escobar brought to Colombia instead of killing the animals.

Ambani said he had formally requested the Colombian government to reverse its decision to kill animals that were damaging rivers in the South American country.

Instead, Vantara asked that the animal center be allowed “a safe, scientifically conducted transfer that will place 80 animals in a permanent home.”

The massive zoo in India’s western state of Gujarat bills itself as “one of the world’s largest wildlife rescue, care and conservation centres.”

Vantara is currently home to hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards and 900 crocodiles, among other animals, according to the Central Zoo Authority of India.

Experts have repeatedly raised the alarm over Vantara’s large animal imports, including the import of critically endangered and rare species.

Escobar brought hippos, which are native only to Africa and can weigh up to several tons, to Colombia in the 1980s.

After Escobar’s death, the private zoo’s hippos established a new life on the lush river banks of Colombia’s Magdalena River; Here they attacked fishermen, leading to moves to cull them.

Anant Ambani said he has presented a detailed plan to give the animals a new home in Vantara.

The animal center is located next to the Reliance Jamnagar Refinery Complex, which the conglomerate says is the world’s largest crude oil refinery.

Summers can be extremely hot, with temperatures reaching over 40C.

According to the statement, Ambani’s proposal calls for capturing and transporting hippos under veterinary supervision, as well as creating a “purpose-designed natural environment” for hippos.

“Vantara has the expertise, infrastructure and commitment to support this effort, entirely dependent on Colombia’s circumstances,” the statement said.

“These 80 hippos did not choose where they were born nor did they create the conditions they are facing now,” Ambani said. he added.

“They are living, sentient beings, and if we have the ability to save them with a safe and humane solution, we have a responsibility to try.”