African-born Hippopotamus Ordered Killed By Government

Medellin Traveler says on Jul 11, 2009, 12:56:

What a shame ! ! !

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 11, 2009, 12:59:

Cheers Terry says on Jul 11, 2009, 13:03:

Too bad it wasn't captured, but if that wasn't an option then killing it unfortunately makes sense. They're extremely dangerous animals and it would have been more tragic if it had finally killed someone.

Cheers,
Terry

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jul 11, 2009, 13:14:

What a crying shame! There must've been other options, like with the puma that was found in Cali about a month ago, was tranquilized and moved to the zoo. But KILLING seems to be an option Colombian authorities seem to prefer these days. There's NO RESPECT for either human of animal life. I can understand killing (as revolting as it is) done by soldiers facing an enemy....but these are innocent animals not responsible for their demise. Humans are more savage than the worst savages.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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niolasarboleda says on Jul 11, 2009, 13:19:

The BBC's headline was 'Colombia kills drug baron hippo'. I thought it was a pretty bold career move for a hippo. Must have got hooked up with some narcos in Equatorial Guinea and the rest was history. It always ends in tears, though.

The Internet. Strengthening the case against free speech every day.

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Pappassito (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 11, 2009, 13:27:

lpdiver says on Jul 11, 2009, 14:34:

Desi...they did say that they tried for two years to capture it. How hard who know? If I had a loved one who was killed by the hippo I'd be upset with the "authorities" who ever that may be. I have shot aligators on my property (illegal).



ts

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

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Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jul 11, 2009, 14:49:

Hippos are not natural part of the South American fauna and should absolutely not be allowed to roam free. Perhaps they should've tried harder...or the government could have offered bounty for their capture an angry, hungry hippo can be as dangereous as a 14-year-old campesino boy with a gun, or perhaps not. A question of priorities, I s'ppose.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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kenblanquito says on Jul 11, 2009, 14:49:

It just shows you how high up on the priority list the conservation of species is on the government agenda. Sedation and transportation to an appropriate zoo was obviously seen as not being worth the bother. Does the "environment minister" even know what a hippo is? Perhaps they used to roam around Colombia thousands of years ago.
As for being dangerous, only when they feel under threat or when they are worried about the safety of their young.
So, does that mean that the jaguars and other felines which live in Colombia are to be murdered too, because "they are dangerous". What ignorance!
A very sad story, particularly when it involved a breeding couple.

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pedro (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 11, 2009, 15:39:

quantum says on Jul 11, 2009, 15:49:

Incredibly ignorant and savage response by the govt. Doesnt do much for my esteem of the current regime. Have there been deaths or injuries attributed to theze hippos? If not, then the govt. response once again, in the tradition of modern mechanical govts was over the top. I dont know about the rest of u but Im thoroughly disgusted with the Colombian govt. at the moment. Colombia has incredible diversity of wildlife. This is one of its beauties and charms. Whats wrong with the concept of having a few African hippos out there cruising the hinterlands? Especially if theyve already bred and reproduced. They have adapted themselves to their new environment.......toooo bad.....sad day for animal lovers everywhere........

quantum

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barrumundi says on Jul 11, 2009, 16:42:

I hope there is sufficient public outcry from the public through the international press and this will put pressure on the Colombian government to find a more humane way to deal with these unfortunate and innocent animals.

http://poorbuthappy.com/yourthing/post/uploading-photos-for-dummies/

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barrumundi says on Jul 11, 2009, 16:50:

These animals should be protected not slaughtered. Even though they are not native to Colombia, they are now part of the history of Colombia because of the fact that were part of a zoo owned by a notorious and famous drug baron.

The government could issue eco-tour licences to the local fisherman to offer tours to tourists to go down river in boats and view these beautiful creatures from a safe distance. This will ensure the safety of the hippos and also inject foreign funds into the local economy.

http://poorbuthappy.com/yourthing/post/uploading-photos-for-dummies/

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kenblanquito says on Jul 11, 2009, 18:11:

It appears that the government treats wild animals like they do some of their people. Let us prey for a government with a soul; one day!

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capt_j says on Jul 11, 2009, 18:24:

Hippos are cute in the zoo or in nature shows but it is a very large animal that can be quite aggressive and dangerous. Someone, somewhere maybe has the expertise to capture such an animal in the wild but it may not be practical for the Colombian government to hire them for months to track down and capture the animal. The safety of people is the most important thing; preservation of the native environment is next. It is an invasive species and does not belong in Colombia in the wild. I hate to see an animal killed unnecessarily, but is it realistic to demand it be captured?

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 11, 2009, 19:11:

i wonder if they had a BBQ?

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

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Pappassito (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 11, 2009, 20:11:

Sam Salmon says on Jul 11, 2009, 21:43:

Fucking pack of assholes-criminals walk free in the street and they have to murder an innocent animal.

' a la orden!'

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lpdiver says on Jul 12, 2009, 03:10:

So CUte...
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/237026/hippo_fighting/


ts

Remember what the monkey says, "Fuck money it's free"

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Cheers Terry says on Jul 12, 2009, 07:43:

Lots of the usual predictable "poor animal" sentiment on this thread from a few people who have no idea how dangerous and nasty hippos are. They kill more people than any other animal in Africa (if you ignore the mosquito and malaria) and their size and agility make it extremely difficult to sedate them and safely transport to a zoo. There are very few people in the world with the skills necessary to accomplish that task with a hippo.

Sometimes direct action is the best and safest option when dealing with an animal that can easily kill you.

Cheers,
Terry

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ferran says on Jul 12, 2009, 08:34:

Could all this turn into Hipopolitica?

CRECE POLEMICA POR CASO DE HIPOPOTAMO
Alejandro Millán Valencia - Medellín | Publicado el 12 de julio de 2009

En el país se continúan dando más reacciones sobre la cacería que se realizó en el Magdalena Medio a un hipopótamo que pertenecía a la Hacienda Nápoles.

A los rechazos del ex ministro de Medio Ambiente, Juan Lozano, se unió la de Orlando Beltrán, de la Asociación Defensores de Animales y la Naturaleza, quien no está de acuerdo. "El Ministerio cometió un grave error, porque esa no era la forma de controlar este tema", anotó.

Corantioquia había señalado que era una caza de control para evitar que estos animales le hagan daño a la población. Sin embargo, la entidad indicó este fin de semana que se analiza una opción para levantar la medida. Este lunes será revelada en rueda de prensa, en el Concejo de Medellín.

19
4.5Crece polémica por caso de hipopótamo
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Comentarios 1 Comentarios - 12 de julio de 2009

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carlos Comentario realizado el 12 de julio de 2009 - 09:24

QUE VERGÛENZA , CASI SE HACE UNA OPERCIÒN JAQUE PARA ACABAR CON LA FAUNA SILVESTRE; ASÌ Y TODO SEA PABLO ESCOBAR EL QUE TRAJO ESTOS ANIMALES. AFORTUNADAMENTE SE ADAPTARON Y ESTAN DANDO CRIAS, OJALÀ NÒ SE SACRIFIQUE LA MAMÀ HIPOPÒTAMO Y SU BEBÈ. DONDE ESTÀ EL MINISTRO DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE?. DEBEN sANCIONAR A cORANTIOQUIA POR ESTE "hipopotamicidio".
Vote por este comentario No. Votos 0 0 Positivos 0 Negativos

Juan Antonio Sánchez
Los hipopótamos escaparon de la Hacienda Nápoles, en Puerto Triunfo.

Quizás le interese también leer:

Más golpes a narcos en Magdalena Medio
Magdalena Medio quiere su independencia
Sacrificado el primero de los hipopótamos fugitivos
Sabor a cacao en Hacienda Nápoles
Lo Último Comentado Leído Votado
Francés Pierrick

All truth goes through three phases. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self evident.

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Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 12, 2009, 16:04:

Miguel_Clavo says on Jul 12, 2009, 16:14:

i wonder what BBQ'd hippo tastes like? chicken, maybe? =)

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

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barrumundi says on Jul 12, 2009, 17:53:

Poor dead Pepe.....fat, ugly, unarmed and on the run.....no match for 15 brave, highly trained professional soldiers with automatic weapons!

http://poorbuthappy.com/yourthing/post/uploading-photos-for-dummies/

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Colombiano_divino says on Jul 12, 2009, 18:02:

PETA will stuff their nose all in this

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Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 12, 2009, 18:48:

barrumundi says on Jul 12, 2009, 18:54:

Colombia would be a safer place if Pepe squashed the 15 soldiers!!!! Maybe Pepe is a "false positive"??????

http://poorbuthappy.com/yourthing/post/uploading-photos-for-dummies/

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dwmte7 says on Jul 14, 2009, 04:52:

much of the sentiment here is well voiced. killing the animal was ruthless. i have a twelve foot alligator behind my home on a golf course....and if you don't think this ornry fellow can kill you, think again. he can run about 25 miles an hour and take off a leg with one munch. we haven't called out the national guard. i have black bear and wild boar living here and puma. ain't no constabulary running around with m-16 on a witch hunt. you just stay away, stay outta their habitat and leave well enough alone. each one of these creatures can rip you a new asshole and make you dead, but we have a bit of common sense here. leave them alone. there's not a hippo on this planet that comes up out of it's swamp to hunt down a human. and there's a gazillion hippos living somewhere. if you go swimming in their wallow, they can spoil your day, but they're vegans, and not blood thirsty. let's reevaluate some of this kill or be killed mentality.
d

patriarch

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billyb says on Jul 14, 2009, 06:31:

"Let's kill the pumas and the alligators in Colombia - plus a few others (they're dangerous too, right)?"

That's a false argument, as pumas and Croks (don't think we have gators down there) are native and non invasive species.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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dwmte7 says on Jul 14, 2009, 06:34:

no gators...native to florida only....they're caiman down there (don't know if i spelled that right) and they're, comparatively speaking, little fellas. they'ld be a snak for that fella that's been hanging out behind the house.

patriarch

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billyb says on Jul 14, 2009, 06:50:

Doug, I was hearing where there are now something around 200,000 pythons, descendants of escaped or released 'pets', slithering around the swamps in FLA, destroying the native fauna. Darloup, I bet someone once thought they were cute and cudly as well.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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JohnEvans says on Jul 14, 2009, 07:29:

Surveillance photo of the elusive Pepe, alias “El Hippo”

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Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 14, 2009, 07:47:

dwmte7 says on Jul 14, 2009, 07:52:

about those damn snakes. the shit on the face of that story is that they still allow the importation and sale of these monsters.

patriarch

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dwmte7 says on Jul 14, 2009, 07:53:

twelve people have been killed by them here in florida. they're fricken ruthless. and a nine footer can kill a grown man. watch out. when they're 18', you're a snack.

patriarch

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billyb says on Jul 14, 2009, 07:56:

Didn't one of those pythons escape from its cage last week and strangled a 2 year old girl?

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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dwmte7 says on Jul 14, 2009, 14:21:

yup! that makes twelve in the last few years. i think they play it down as it is a negative for tourism.

they've found that the snakes swim from the southern mainland to the keys and now they're down there. what next? "python attacks tourist...eats him before authorities arrive" ha.

patriarch

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dwmte7 says on Jul 14, 2009, 14:31:

just out, about two hours ago:

Text SizeAAASenator Wants Hunts To Kill Everglades Pythons
Posted: 3:04 pm EDT July 14, 2009
Updated: 5:03 pm EDT July 14, 2009

MIAMI -- U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson called Tuesday for organized hunts of thousands of pythons believed to be living in the Everglades to kill the snakes and prevent potential attacks.

Nelson's request came in a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who got a first-hand look at a 15-foot python found in the swampland during a visit in May hosted by the senator. And it comes just weeks after a 2-year-old central Florida girl was strangled by an unlicensed pet python that escaped from a terrarium in her home, drawing further attention to the issue.

"They are threatening endangered wildlife there," the Democratic lawmaker wrote to his former Senate colleague, "and, Lord forbid, a visitor in the Everglades ever encounters one."

Nelson has estimated 100,000 pythons are living in the Everglades, a population believed to be the result, at least in part, of pets released into the wild when they grow too big. "They now have become such a problem in the park," said Dan McLaughlin, Nelson's spokesman, "you could spend the next 10 years setting traps."

The senator asked Salazar to approve supervised hunts of the snakes by U.S. Park Service staff, other authorities and volunteers to kill the pythons en masse. The invasive species have been multiplying in the Everglades for years.

Kendra Barkoff, a spokeswoman for Salazar, said the secretary agreed pythons "pose a significant threat to the Florida Everglades and must be dealt with immediately" but did not comment specifically on the idea of authorizing hunts.

Pythons are difficult to find in summer, when they're known to hide in saw grass, but often come out to roadsides and other open areas during winter to get some sun. Nelson didn't elaborate on how a hunt for the snakes would be conducted.

Nelson has introduced a bill to ban imports of the snakes, after years of trying to persuade federal wildlife officials to restrict their entry into the country. At a hearing on the bill earlier this month, Nelson spoke as a massive skin of a python was set on a table.

During Salazar's visit to the Everglades in May, he was shown a roughly 90-pound Burmese python that was caught in the park. "Look at the size of him!" Nelson said as the snake was taken out of a container. It took three people to restrain.

patriarch

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dwmte7 says on Jul 14, 2009, 16:31:

here's a link to president uribe's e mail at casa narino....

send e mails pleading for humane treatment of these animals. i have already e mailed him...let's flood the place.

douglas
http://web.presidencia.gov.co/
http://www.fuerzasmilitares.net

patriarch

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