From Colombia to Gujarat: Anant Ambani's Big Plan for 80 Escobar's Hippos Revealed

Anant Ambani has offered to bring 80 wild hippos from Colombia to Vantara, Gujarat, after Colombia approved plans for lethal removal. The hippos are descendants of animals once owned by drug lord Pablo Escobar. Vantara has submitted proposal.

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Anant Ambani offers to rescue Colombia's famous hippos

Anant Ambani has offered to give a new home to 80 hippopotamuses living in Colombia. These hippos are descendants of animals once brought to the country by drug kingpin Pablo Escobar in the 1980s.

The offer comes after Colombian authorities approved the lethal removal of 80 hippos in the Magdalena River basin. Officials say the growing population has become a serious problem for local people and wildlife.

Ambani, founder of Vantara in Jamnagar, Gujarat, has now formally appealed to the Colombian government to reconsider the decision.

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A safe new home in Gujarat

Vantara has proposed moving all 80 hippos to its large animal rescue and conservation centre in Jamnagar.

According to the proposal, the relocation would be fully funded and carefully managed. The plan includes capture, transport, veterinary care and long-term housing.

Vantara said the entire process would be carried out only with the approval and supervision of Colombian authorities.

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A letter dated April 27 was sent to Colombia's Environment Minister, Irene Velez Torres, asking the government to suspend the euthanasia plan and consider this alternat

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What Anant Ambani said

Ambani said the hippos did not choose their situation.

"These 80 hippos did not choose where they were born, nor did they create the circumstances they now face," he said.

He added that if a safe and humane solution is possible, people have a responsibility to try.

Vantara said every life matters and that protecting animals should always be a priority.

Why Colombia wants action

Escobar illegally imported several hippos to his private zoo decades ago. After his death in 1993, the animals were left behind.

They adapted well to Colombia's warm climate and began breeding quickly.

Today, their numbers have grown sharply. Officials say the hippos damage river ecosystems, compete with native species and can be dangerous to humans. There have also been reports of attacks on fishermen.

Because of these concerns, Colombia has been looking for ways to control the population.

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Vantara's growing wildlife centre

Vantara is one of the world's largest wildlife rescue, care and conservation centres.

Located in Jamnagar, it houses a huge number of rescued animals. According to India's Central Zoo Authority, the centre cares for hundreds of elephants, 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards and around 900 crocodiles.

Vantara says it has the experience, veterinary teams and infrastructure needed to care for the hippos.

The proposed habitat would be specially designed to meet their needs.

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Questions and concerns

Some wildlife experts have raised concerns about Vantara's rapid expansion and its import of rare and endangered species.

Others have also pointed out that Jamnagar can become extremely hot during summer, with temperatures often crossing 40 degrees Celsius.

However, Vantara insists it has the facilities and expertise to safely house the animals.

What's next

The final decision now rests with the Colombian government.

If approved, the operation would involve one of the largest international hippo relocations ever attempted.

For now, the future of Escobar's famous hippos remains uncertain.

But Anant Ambani's proposal has opened the door to a possible solution that could save all 80 animals.