Hmm, hippos in Colombia...

http://www.newser.com/story/18...-out-of-control.html

Full article:

Colombia is facing an overpopulation issue: a famed drug lord's herd of hippos keeps expanding. Pablo Escobar built himself a zoo in the 1980s, smuggling in a host of exotic animals, including one male and three female hippos. Now, 20 years after the drug boss's death, the hippos have found a welcoming climate—free of the drought that helps curb herd size in Africa—and apparently an appetite for sex. Estimates say there are now between 50 and 60 hippos (in 2006, the LAT pegged their population at 16), most living in one of 12 man-made lakes at Escobar's former ranch. But a dozen have been confirmed as having broken away and into the nearby Magdalena River, meaning there could be many more; in 2009, one hippo was located 62 miles away.

While hippos in Africa tend to become sexually active as early as age seven for males and nine for females, the hippos in Colombia are breeding as early as three, the BBC reports. "It's just like this crazy wildlife experiment that we're left with," says a San Diego University ecologist. "Gosh! I hope this goes well." So far, it doesn't seem to be. The beasts are terrifying fishermen, wreaking havoc on crops, and even crushing small cows. They can't be moved back to Africa due to the possibility they carry disease, zoos aren't interested in the adults, a reserve with hippo-proof fences would cost about $500,000, and castration would be expensive and risky for both the vets and the creatures, who the ecologist notes are highly sensitive to sedation. So how would a biologist working in the Amazon region solve the issue? "I think they should barbecue them and eat them," he says. He isn't kidding.

That was a very refreshing perspective (and a rather bold public comment) from the biologist. I will gladly donate my services to get the party started! I wonder how hard it is to fly into Bogota with a double rifle?

We might be too late....the anti's are already naming the hippos and denouncing 'hunters' (the guvmint whacked one and hunters got included in the bad press). The tree huggers are forming a circle and holding hands. The California Chapter of the save-the-hippo-movement has elected their BOD and vote on the logo design next week.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/...dUKTRE5696ZF20090711

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Norman:
We might be too late....the anti's are already naming the hippos and denouncing 'hunters' (the guvmint whacked one and hunters got included in the bad press). The tree huggers are forming a circle and holding hands. The California Chapter of the save-the-hippo-movement has elected their BOD and vote on the logo design next week.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/...dUKTRE5696ZF20090711

Imagine how much nicer the world would be if we did not have California??

Saeed:

California is lovely; it's the bloody inhabitants!

ahhhh, the granola state- full of fruits, nuts, and flakes. i( unfortunately) live there- BUT I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN GEORGIA AND WILL NEVER CONSIDER MY SELF A CALIFORNICAN...

Aahh! Come to Papa leetel Pepe.
Oh my gawsh!