¿Por qué el turismo de hipopótamos en Colombia no es una buena idea?
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The presence of wild hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius) in Colombia due to the establishment of Pablo Escobar’s private zoo in the 1980s has led to tourism activities centered on this non-native megafauna. Here, I argue that promoting hippo-based tourism in Colombia is ecologically detrimental, potentially dangerous, and, ultimately, unsustainable. Furthermore, I contend that the economic benefits of such tourism go to a few inexperienced operators and provide minimal economic spillover to local communities. The article proposes alternative strategies,including the creation of a museum dedicated to educating the public about the relationship between drug trafficking, illegal wildlife trade, and invasive species to mitigate the perceived economic los from discontinuing hippo tourism. I conclude that this type of tourism may seem economically attractive in the short term but its risks and challenges far outweigh any potential benefits, calling for a more responsible, science-based approach to managing this unique conservation challenge.
Author: Andrés Felipe García-Londoño
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408557072