This is crazy! The common hippopotamus is now an invasive species in Colombia. It was first imported by the drug lord Pablo Escobar for his private zoo. After his death in 1993 they escaped & are now estimated to number between 65 and 80 in the wild. https://t.co/T7UK70Vixu
Ecosystem effects of the world's largest invasive animal.
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Jan 2020 – Dec 2024Where it's discussed
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AI synopsis
What people are saying
Several discussions unpack the article's findings about hippos in Colombia, highlighting their role as ecosystem engineers and the implications for local ecology. Phrases such as 'interesting ecological story' and 'must pay attention to the impacts' suggest that participants see the study as crucial. At the same time, comments like 'the science is still emerging' reflect a mix of enthusiasm and caution about the research, demonstrating the varied opinions and depth of engagement in the discussions.
Many discussions acknowledge the existence of ecological impacts caused by hippos in Colombia, though some express skepticism about the extent of these effects.
There is significant curiosity surrounding the hippos' role as invasive species, with many participants emphasizing the intriguing nature of the study.
While some posts engage deeply with specific aspects of the research, a few are more dismissive, merely commenting on the situation without exploring details.
The majority of participants perceive the publication's findings as offering substantial insights into ecological dynamics, particularly concerning water quality.
Abstract in brief
- The introduction of hippos in Colombia, which have been present for about 25 years, is affecting local aquatic ecosystems by acting as ecosystem engineers similar to their native role in Africa.
- Hippos contribute to nutrient cycling by grazing on land and releasing waste into water, leading to changes in carbon sources and increased ecosystem metabolism in lakes.
- Their presence has shifted phytoplankton communities towards cyanobacteria dominance, while other aquatic life forms showed similar diversity regardless of hippo presence, indicating complex ecological impacts as the hippos expand their range.
Top posts
Most liked on X and Bluesky'Cocaine hippos' as an invasive species in Colombia. For an ecosystem impact assessment, see this paper by Shurin et al: https://t.co/cweDBFrtV7 https://t.co/CsRRPcta0N
外来種としてのカバのインパクト https://t.co/7OKhkXGvGp Ecology (2020) コロンビアの麻薬王が私設動物園で飼育していたカバ4頭が野生化。カバが生息する水域では富栄養化しシアノバクテリアが増加するなど、生態系エンジニアとして在来生態系に影響を与えている。
@sararmend @nicolasp_l @Bermoracadavid @danax2007 @ELTIEMPO @sararmend, en el estudio del dr. Shurin no dice en ninguna parte que el impacto sea "despreciable", ni se hace ese tipo de comparaciones con la ganadería. https://t.co/ibmbwy8g2w
Check your baseline! It’s reasonable to assume that hippos in Colombia is a problem but studies don’t find the expected eco-catastrophe (doi: 10.1002/ECY.2991) Is it due to previous degradation from agriculture or a yet-small population? www.facebook.com/100001523860...
#New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @NSF https://t.co/DsO4xeNUe5 https://t.co/TuiAT0UeEY
All mentions
Impact of Pablo Escobar's Hippos on Colombian Ecosystems
The introduction of hippos in Colombia is affecting local aquatic ecosystems. These invasive animals act as ecosystem engineers, aiding nutrient cycling and influencing phytoplankton communities. Their presence leads to…
하마 때문에 난리난 한 나라
Impact of Pablo Escobar's Hippos on Colombian Ecosystems
In this BlaBlaNews episode, Emilio Garcia discusses how the introduction of hippos in Colombia impacts local aquatic ecosystems. These invasive species act as ecosystem engineers, affecting nutrient cycling and altering…
Ippopotami, droga e estinzioni
Drogen-Hippos machen sich breit | Weiß der Geier!
Impact of Hippos on Colombia's Aquatic Ecosystems
The introduction of hippos in Colombia has affected local aquatic ecosystems. Vanessa and I have differing opinions on the issue. Discover how hippos, acting as ecosystem engineers, contribute to nutrient cycling and…
Check your baseline! It’s reasonable to assume that hippos in Colombia is a problem but studies don’t find the expected eco-catastrophe (doi: 10.1002/ECY.2991) Is it due to previous degradation from agriculture or a yet-small population? www.facebook.com/100001523860...
RT @akasikadeer: 外来種のカバが生態系エンジニアとしての役割を果たす。 #論文紹介 https://t.co/9apCQm6E5G
外来種のカバが生態系エンジニアとしての役割を果たす。 #論文紹介 https://t.co/9apCQm6E5G
La introducción de este artículo está interesante. https://t.co/NngMdKtEaV https://t.co/mWWACiW3rh
@JohnnyGonzaalez Puedes leer aquí un poco sobre los impactos de los hipopótamos en áreas fuera de su rango nativo (como Colombia) debido a que son ingenieros de ecosistemas https://t.co/iO2d4XGhRp
La #Megafauna aún exótica, puede tener efectos beneficiosos sobre ciertos ecosistemas: “Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest invasive animal” https://t.co/H8IUqWUEJE No hemos hecho más que empezar a comprender los servicios ecosistémicos que aportan algunas de estas especies https://t.co/elHRSBEtqC
@vasabjit_b Its a pretty fascinating ecological story - i.e. see https://t.co/lvgMsjm29x
@ginaterremoto @domingoanimal y acá mientes, primero por que hay propuestas aunque los estudios son muy pocos, la ciencia no son dos artículos o un informe necesita mas para ser falseado, habías revisado este estudio https://t.co/9UH7y3DfK1
RT @EcoInvasions: 'Cocaine hippos' as an invasive species in Colombia. For an ecosystem impact assessment, see this paper by Shurin et al:…
RT @EcoInvasions: 'Cocaine hippos' as an invasive species in Colombia. For an ecosystem impact assessment, see this paper by Shurin et al:…
RT @EcoInvasions: 'Cocaine hippos' as an invasive species in Colombia. For an ecosystem impact assessment, see this paper by Shurin et al:…
RT @EcoInvasions: 'Cocaine hippos' as an invasive species in Colombia. For an ecosystem impact assessment, see this paper by Shurin et al:…
RT @EcoInvasions: 'Cocaine hippos' as an invasive species in Colombia. For an ecosystem impact assessment, see this paper by Shurin et al:…
RT @EcoInvasions: 'Cocaine hippos' as an invasive species in Colombia. For an ecosystem impact assessment, see this paper by Shurin et al:…
RT @EcoInvasions: 'Cocaine hippos' as an invasive species in Colombia. For an ecosystem impact assessment, see this paper by Shurin et al:…
RT @EcoInvasions: 'Cocaine hippos' as an invasive species in Colombia. For an ecosystem impact assessment, see this paper by Shurin et al:…
RT @EcoInvasions: 'Cocaine hippos' as an invasive species in Colombia. For an ecosystem impact assessment, see this paper by Shurin et al:…
RT @EcoInvasions: 'Cocaine hippos' as an invasive species in Colombia. For an ecosystem impact assessment, see this paper by Shurin et al:…
RT @EcoInvasions: 'Cocaine hippos' as an invasive species in Colombia. For an ecosystem impact assessment, see this paper by Shurin et al:…
'Cocaine hippos' as an invasive species in Colombia. For an ecosystem impact assessment, see this paper by Shurin et al: https://t.co/cweDBFrtV7 https://t.co/CsRRPcta0N
El estudio completo lo puede leer acá, pero aquí hay algunos apartes interesantes: https://t.co/bzF7RHniwE https://t.co/LD6dnsrjpw
@snakeymama This paper from Shurin seems like a good point of entry on his research. https://t.co/j9pEATmArF
RT @jwmorenob: @sararmend @nicolasp_l @Bermoracadavid @danax2007 @ELTIEMPO @sararmend, en el estudio del dr. Shurin no dice en ninguna part…
RT @jwmorenob: @sararmend @nicolasp_l @Bermoracadavid @danax2007 @ELTIEMPO @sararmend, en el estudio del dr. Shurin no dice en ninguna part…
@sararmend @nicolasp_l @Bermoracadavid @danax2007 @ELTIEMPO @sararmend, en el estudio del dr. Shurin no dice en ninguna parte que el impacto sea "despreciable", ni se hace ese tipo de comparaciones con la ganadería. https://t.co/ibmbwy8g2w
Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest invasive animal https://t.co/SEPHxmLnCq
@MissMermeladas El trabajo de Shurin es bastante interesante, porque es el primero que muestra indicios de afectaciones a la calidad del agua debido a los hipos. PERO aún falta evaluar el impacto que tendría sobre agua de consumo, que por supuesto no es cosa menor. https://t.co/bzF7RHniwE
Esse artigo avaliou o impacto da introdução de populações de hipopótamos em ecossistemas aquáticos da Colômbia. https://t.co/GRUjngQvmd Detalhe, quem introduziu os bichos lá foi o Pablo Escobar hahaha
RT @zarigueya_la: Efectos es de la presencia de los hipopótamos en la calidad del agua https://t.co/kgYjvP2Iaa
Efectos es de la presencia de los hipopótamos en la calidad del agua https://t.co/kgYjvP2Iaa
@pstoett @NatGeo @AnibalPauchard @UKLadybirds https://t.co/rfmRiyxQo9
En este artículo se exponen algunas de las tantas amenazas que conlleva mantener un grupo de hipopótamos en el Magdalena medio, y porque la esterilización, fuera de inviable, no es una solución.... https://t.co/yTrnVPbFJp
Otro artículo reciente en la principal revista internacional de ecología vincula presencia de los hipopótamos con cambios en las ciénagas que van desde incrementos de cianobacterias hasta alteración de los ciclos de nutrientes https://t.co/4SdIfZmDD0 https://t.co/2RG4aPVAI5
@paolaamedinam @Brigittelgb Yo no le veo ningún sentido. En África se estima que hay más de 100.000 hipopótamos, en gran cantidad de localidades a lo largo de muchos países. En Colombia ya se han hecho análisis de la situación, y no apuntan hacia nada bueno: https://t.co/rNopDn1Ldt
@Brigittelgb ¿cuánto tiempo vive un hipopótamo? esterilizarlos no resolvería el problema de los impactos ecosistémicos que ya están teniendo. ej: https://t.co/yQwUXLxwWc
Hot off the press! Folks went and studied the effects of hippos that Pablo Escobar introduced to Colombia and then went wild, and I am so here for this study! https://t.co/Mbqq0AwHpG
RT @Alien_Evolve: 外来種としてのカバのインパクト https://t.co/7OKhkXGvGp Ecology (2020) コロンビアの麻薬王が私設動物園で飼育していたカバ4頭が野生化。カバが生息する水域では富栄養化しシアノバクテリアが増加するなど、生態系…
RT @Alien_Evolve: 外来種としてのカバのインパクト https://t.co/7OKhkXGvGp Ecology (2020) コロンビアの麻薬王が私設動物園で飼育していたカバ4頭が野生化。カバが生息する水域では富栄養化しシアノバクテリアが増加するなど、生態系…
RT @Alien_Evolve: 外来種としてのカバのインパクト https://t.co/7OKhkXGvGp Ecology (2020) コロンビアの麻薬王が私設動物園で飼育していたカバ4頭が野生化。カバが生息する水域では富栄養化しシアノバクテリアが増加するなど、生態系…
RT @Alien_Evolve: 外来種としてのカバのインパクト https://t.co/7OKhkXGvGp Ecology (2020) コロンビアの麻薬王が私設動物園で飼育していたカバ4頭が野生化。カバが生息する水域では富栄養化しシアノバクテリアが増加するなど、生態系…
RT @Alien_Evolve: 外来種としてのカバのインパクト https://t.co/7OKhkXGvGp Ecology (2020) コロンビアの麻薬王が私設動物園で飼育していたカバ4頭が野生化。カバが生息する水域では富栄養化しシアノバクテリアが増加するなど、生態系…
RT @Alien_Evolve: 外来種としてのカバのインパクト https://t.co/7OKhkXGvGp Ecology (2020) コロンビアの麻薬王が私設動物園で飼育していたカバ4頭が野生化。カバが生息する水域では富栄養化しシアノバクテリアが増加するなど、生態系…
外来種としてのカバのインパクト https://t.co/7OKhkXGvGp Ecology (2020) コロンビアの麻薬王が私設動物園で飼育していたカバ4頭が野生化。カバが生息する水域では富栄養化しシアノバクテリアが増加するなど、生態系エンジニアとして在来生態系に影響を与えている。
RT @BInvasiones: Artículo científico sobre los hipopótamos invasores en Colombia https://t.co/cjuF7gSEaT
RT @BInvasiones: Artículo científico sobre los hipopótamos invasores en Colombia https://t.co/cjuF7gSEaT
RT @BInvasiones: Artículo científico sobre los hipopótamos invasores en Colombia https://t.co/cjuF7gSEaT
RT @BInvasiones: Artículo científico sobre los hipopótamos invasores en Colombia https://t.co/cjuF7gSEaT
@AnibalPauchard https://t.co/naNrEw5Mpe
Artículo científico sobre los hipopótamos invasores en Colombia https://t.co/cjuF7gSEaT
RT @ESAEcology: #New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @…
@RobertGebelhoff Interesting opinion. However, you are ignoring scientific evidence such as https://t.co/FtG8TmtvBP
@jkdelgadog @Brigittelgb @guardian @Forbes @WebConserva En su paper de 28 enero https://t.co/UsGDI49iaN Shurin &l dicen que “hippos are a novel functional group in the New World with no Pleistocene analog” y basado en datos del campo: “increasing aquatic ecosystem productivity through fertilization by
@alegnacamargo29 @RGrPe @rata_charlatana De acuerdo. Ya hay dos papers indicando los efectos, el de Shurin 2020 es el más detallado donde estudia los impactos en la calidad del agua. https://t.co/bzF7RHniwE
Ignoring 12,000 yrs of natural history since the Pleistocene. Quote: “While hippos don’t perfectly replace any one extinct species, they restore parts of important ecologies.” In fact, they alter "important ecologies": https://t.co/7ruNcHw2fL. https://t.co/dGMyQeGMvb
RT @cdanielcadena: ok, con ya dos estudios científicos parece claro que hay que hacer algo para controlar las poblaciones de hipopótamos po…
RT @ESAEcology: #New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @…
RT @_eritrocito: @RicardoDiazAl @juvelas @GIAndradeP @UNJairCastro Ojalá se indignaran así con la pérdida de biodiversidad causada por los…
@RicardoDiazAl @juvelas @GIAndradeP @UNJairCastro Ojalá se indignaran así con la pérdida de biodiversidad causada por los hipopótamos en Colombia, pero ahí sí calladitos. https://t.co/SPB6hBAlns https://t.co/ttP8iBeoZb
RT @_eritrocito: @andreanimalidad @ludogomezm https://t.co/SPB6hBAlns
@andreanimalidad @ludogomezm https://t.co/SPB6hBAlns
RT @cdanielcadena: ok, con ya dos estudios científicos parece claro que hay que hacer algo para controlar las poblaciones de hipopótamos po…
The largest invasive species: In 1980s, a drug lord built an exotic animal zoo in Colombia. In the 1990s, most animals were relocated to zoos—except for 4 hippos. These 4 have since multiplied to 80, and they wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems in Colombia. https://t.co/UZZxa8OwN2
RT @cdanielcadena: ok, con ya dos estudios científicos parece claro que hay que hacer algo para controlar las poblaciones de hipopótamos po…
https://t.co/ZbetW70xk9
RT @gkalinkat: @SCJaehnig @SZ @FengzhiHe thanks for tagging! I knew that two papers came out recently on the Escobar hippos - one by @Amand…
A study on how hippos affect lake systems in... Colombia. These animals are a population descended from 4 individuals from Pablo Escobar's zoo. Drug lords, hippo poo and invasive species ecology: this paper has it all.
RT @KorimakoEcology: This is crazy! The common hippopotamus is now an invasive species in Colombia. It was first imported by the drug lor…
RT @cdanielcadena: ok, con ya dos estudios científicos parece claro que hay que hacer algo para controlar las poblaciones de hipopótamos po…
RT @cdanielcadena: ok, con ya dos estudios científicos parece claro que hay que hacer algo para controlar las poblaciones de hipopótamos po…
@SCJaehnig @SZ @FengzhiHe thanks for tagging! I knew that two papers came out recently on the Escobar hippos - one by @AmandaSubalusky et al https://t.co/KCuBqkMBwL and one by Jon Shurin et al https://t.co/3cLd9xRBXX
RT @KorimakoEcology: This is crazy! The common hippopotamus is now an invasive species in Colombia. It was first imported by the drug lor…
RT @KorimakoEcology: This is crazy! The common hippopotamus is now an invasive species in Colombia. It was first imported by the drug lor…
RT @KorimakoEcology: This is crazy! The common hippopotamus is now an invasive species in Colombia. It was first imported by the drug lor…
RT @KorimakoEcology: This is crazy! The common hippopotamus is now an invasive species in Colombia. It was first imported by the drug lor…
This is crazy! The common hippopotamus is now an invasive species in Colombia. It was first imported by the drug lord Pablo Escobar for his private zoo. After his death in 1993 they escaped & are now estimated to number between 65 and 80 in the wild. https://t.co/T7UK70Vixu
RT @cdanielcadena: ok, con ya dos estudios científicos parece claro que hay que hacer algo para controlar las poblaciones de hipopótamos po…
RT @CrawfordAJ:
RT @cdanielcadena: ok, con ya dos estudios científicos parece claro que hay que hacer algo para controlar las poblaciones de hipopótamos po…
RT @cdanielcadena: ok, con ya dos estudios científicos parece claro que hay que hacer algo para controlar las poblaciones de hipopótamos po…
RT @CrawfordAJ:
RT @ESAEcology: #New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @…
RT @CrawfordAJ:
What's the world's largest #invasivespecies? Answer:
外来のカバが湖沼生態系に与える影響。 外来生物が生態系機能を変えるっている研究は多いが、陸域から水域に養分を運び湖沼を養分リッチにする、「デカい(Mega-herbivore)」という点は特徴的かも。在来の地域のカバの役割とどう違うんだろうか。 https://t.co/no35gGchmP
https://t.co/wSYw24Gmyt
RT @ESAEcology: #New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @…
oikossokio: RT ESAEcology: #New in ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded NSF https://t.co/5vhjXvzTWx https://t.co/FBCIRCwyRs
RT @ESAEcology: #New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @…
RT @ESAEcology: #New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @…
RT @ESAEcology: #New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @…
RT @ESAEcology: #New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @…
RT @ESAEcology: #New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @…
Ecosystem Effects of the World’s Largest Invasive Animal (le hippopotames en Colombie...) https://t.co/nPnUpuCJmv #Invasive #ecology https://t.co/5MFNCglQ0f
RT @ESAEcology: #New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @…
RT @ESAEcology: #New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @…
#hippos https://t.co/Yv0ehWK73h
RT @ESAEcology: #New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @…
RT @ESAEcology: #New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @…
#New in @ESAEcology #Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest #invasive animal #hippopotamus #eutrophication #NSFfunded @NSF https://t.co/DsO4xeNUe5 https://t.co/TuiAT0UeEY
RT @ROGERLATOUR: Ecosystem Effects of the World’s Largest Invasive Animal (le hippopotames en Colombie...) https://t.co/nPnUpuCJmv #Invas…
Ecosystem Effects of the World’s Largest Invasive Animal (le hippopotames en Colombie...) https://t.co/nPnUpuCJmv #Invasive #ecology https://t.co/QBjmYwbfyE
Ecosystem effects of the world’s largest invasive animal https://t.co/LH3H9uIttr