Los Angeles Times

Killing of hippo in Colombia sparks outcry

Jul 15--Protesters demand an order be rescinded that authorizes the killing of two other hippos believed to be related to the slain one, called Pepe, that escaped from a ranch once owned by Pablo Escobar.

15 de julio de 2009

Reporting from Bogota, Colombia -- The government-ordered killing of a hippopotamus that escaped from the ranch once owned by the late drug kingpin Pablo Escobar has raised an outcry among Colombian animal rights groups.

The hippo, nicknamed Pepe, was killed last month near the town of Puerto Berrio, about 100 miles northwest of Bogota. An environmental agency in Antioquia state ordered the hippo killed as a health risk and menace to farmers and fishermen, and the national Environment Ministry approved the killing.
 
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