The announcement by Indian businessman Anant Ambani to relocate 80 Colombian hippopotamuses descended from those introduced by Pablo Escobar to the conservation center Vantara in Gujarat, India, has generated an intense international debate.
The initiative arises following the Colombian government’s plan to cull these animals to curb a reproduction that could lead the population to exceed 1,000 specimens by 2035.
Ambani defended the proposal stating: “These eighty hippopotamuses did not choose where they were born, nor did they create the circumstances they now face. They are living and sensitive beings, and if we have the possibility to save them through a safe and humane solution, we have the responsibility to try”.
Vantara: a unique conservation center
The Vantara center, whose name means “Star of the Forest” in Hindi, occupies more than 1,400 hectares in Jamnagar and was inaugurated in 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Managed by the Reliance Foundation, it houses more than 2,000 animals of 43 species, including elephants, big cats, herbivores, and reptiles.
Its stated goal is to rescue and rehabilitate animals in vulnerable situations, offering veterinary care and, in some cases, preparing them for possible release into the wild. The Ambani family assures that the project combines philanthropy, conservation, and technology, with no profit or exhibition purposes.
Controversies and criticisms
Despite its magnitude, Vantara has been surrounded by controversies:
- Conservation organizations have reported irregularities in the acquisition and transport of animals, especially big cats from South Africa and elephants relocated from Indian temples.
- The use of the CITES “Z” code is questioned, which allows shipments to be cataloged as destined for zoos, circumventing commercial restrictions.
- Activists have pointed out possible violations of wildlife protection laws, financial irregularities, and doubts about animal welfare in an environment close to one of the world’s largest refineries.
The Supreme Court of India received multiple petitions to audit the operations, but in September 2025 concluded that there were no legal or ethical violations, warning that disturbing the custody of already relocated animals could cause more harm.
Emblematic cases
Among the most talked-about episodes are:
- The relocation of the elephant Mahadevi, which sparked protests in Maharashtra and resulted in a legal challenge.
- The importation of African big cats, which fueled the debate on the global trade of endangered species and the transparency of private conservation programs.
The proposal to relocate Escobar’s hippopotamuses to India reflects the dilemmas of modern conservation: is it legitimate to relocate species outside their natural habitat to save them from elimination? While the Colombian government defends population control as an urgent measure, Ambani proposes a philanthropic alternative that, although controversial, seeks to give the animals a second chance.
The case highlights the tension between animal welfare, ecosystem conservation, and public policies, and opens a global debate on the role of private centers in the protection of vulnerable species.
