Target: Carlos Eduardo Correa, Minister of Colombian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development
Goal: Use contraceptives rather than culling to mitigate population growth of hippopotamuses.
A revolutionary moment occurred in the animal rights movement when a U.S. federal court granted personhood status to the hippos who once lived in captivity at alleged drug kingpin Pablo Escobar’s private zoo and their descendants. The transformative ruling marked the first time a U.S. court gave this status, and the legal protections that come with it, to any animal. While the incident may benefit American animals in the future, unfortunately it does little to help the animals for which it was intended.
The so-called “cocaine hippos” have freely roamed the region where they escaped following Escobar’s death in the 1990s. Their population has doubled in size since that time, and they now stand about 70 to 80 strong. Despite the fact they have so far proven peaceful and posed no threat, one group recently advocated for their culling, citing their status as an invasive species and a potential threat to humans. These animals that have become beloved fixtures in the region should not have to pay with their lives because of the reckless and irresponsible actions of people.
Sign the petition below to urge the Colombian officials who have the power of life and death over the hippos to choose life.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Minister Correa,
The “cocaine hippos” of Pablo Escobar have not lived up to their notorious moniker. By and large, these animals have proven peaceful and are almost seen as pets by the community. The notion of culling and killing them is unconscionable and unneeded.
Any effects that these animals might have on regional biodiversity is not their fault. They did not ask to be taken from their homes and brought to a strange land. But they have adapted, and so has the region. A court in the United States has even supported them by granting them personhood status. While that ruling does not apply in Colombia, please consider the spirit of the action.
The Cornare environmental agency has devised a workable contraceptive method that could control population growth. Please invest in this life-saving approach and give these living beings a fighting chance.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Follow Alice
Save them!!
Please don’t kill these animals! Giving them a contraceptive is a good idea.
IS THERE NO COUNTRY LEFT ON THIS DAMN EARTH THAT DOES PROTECT ANY TYPE OF ANIMALS???? WE ARE TRULY A DISGUSTING RACE!!!
Couldn’t agree more, ashamed and embarrassed to be human and white.
I agree ! Shame on us.
Thus monstrous slaughter must stop immediately
These endangered hippos deserve more protection, not murder!
Contraceptives should be the only way to go. They may have changed the eco-stystem a little but nature will settle down and take care of it. Nature will also restore it when they die off, if it is done peacefully with contraceptives.
They are using contraceptives. This entire petition is ridiculous.
The Cornare environmental agency has devised a workable CONTRACEPTIVE METHOD that could SUCCESSFULLY control population growth. These MAJESTIC HIPPOS SHALL NOT BE VICTIMS OF HUMAN IDIOCY!!! A NON-LETHAL METHOD is the ONLY HUMANE, CIVILIZED and WISE SOLUTION!!!!THE HUMAN RACE IS THE MOST DISGUSTING AND DESTRUCTIVE VERMIN!!!! HOW CAN ONE RACE ON EARTH…. HUMANS …. KILL, TORTURE AND MURDER ALL OTHER PRECIOUS SPECIES. WE LIVE ON A SLAUGHTER PLANET! SHAME!! SHAME!! SHAME on YOU, COLOMBIA!!!!
Is this a joke?? Their population will grow exponentially if left unchecked. And they are using contraceptives now to keep them from reproducing. So, not sure what the point of this silly petition is.
It’s all out of sorts disgusting
Neil Ginsberg obviously isn’t an animal lover otherwise he wouldn’t be asking the question! We humans seem to think we can kill anything when it suits us – instead of slaughter come up with a viable solution to save these majestic animals
My husband does his research on this kind of brainwashing news……just like the media gives faults information to get people out raged and start rioting……. So I’m thinking this is another one of those who AREN’T being completely honest with the fact’s…..
Protect and SAVE these HIPPOS!!!!! This is DISGUSTING! STOP!!!
Carlos Eduardo Correa
Please do the Godly thing and protect these hippos with the contraceptive method that has proven to work.
These hippos are peaceful and do not pose a threat, to anyone, so why hurt them in any way! Please let them live! as God intended…
Please don’t let these animals be destroyed – haven’t we lost enough species in the world already?
There are alternatives to this planned slaughter of peaceful animals. Please choose a humane option.
Espero que estén haciendo lo correcto administrando anticonceptivos. Lo contrario seria una salvajada. Gracias por salvar esas vidas y no permitir que se multipliquen.
LETS STOP VICTIMIZING ANIMAL VICTIMS OF HUMAN GREED TOXIC MASCULINITY AND GIVE THEM THE LIFE THEY DESERVE AND LOCK UP EVERY ABUSER. ITS 2021!
Humanity stinks!!! Stop the killing please!
HIPPOS are innocent & vulnerable and MUST NOT be KILLED — CRUEL & UNCONSCIONABLE & INSANE — Transferring Hippos to reputable Sanctuaries AND/OR Sterilization are OPTIONS to be considered for our BELOVED Hippos — Millions of reasons to keep them healthy, happy & alive
The human race is the most disgusting species in the world!
Potential threat to humans – who cares!!?