Why scientists want to kill Pablo Escobar's hippos

Re:Why scientists want to kill Pablo Escobar's hippos by bigmattystyles on Thursday February 11, 2021 @02:32AM (#26099152)

TIL Hippos have predators in their natural habitats. I found that very surprising; I would imagine the beasts would have to be either very young, old or already quite ailing.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why scientists want to kill Pablo Escobar's hippos by Veen on Thursday February 11, 2021 @05:44AM (#26100151)

Healthy adult hippos can fight off most predators, so they are largely immune from predation in their natural habitat. There are lots of videos on YouTube of them injuring or killing lions and large crocodiles, although a pride of lions might get lucky on occassion. However, baby and juvenille hippos and old sick hippos are vulnerable.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why scientists want to kill Pablo Escobar's hippos by bigmattystyles on Thursday February 11, 2021 @11:37AM (#26103623)

>> However, baby and juvenille hippos and old sick hippos are vulnerable.

Isn’t this true for all apex predators though?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why scientists want to kill Pablo Escobar's hippos by HappySweeney on Thursday February 11, 2021 @02:16PM (#26105847)

Hippos are herbivores, no? I get that they are extremely murderous, but apex predators are carnivores that eat other predators, iirc.

[ Parent | on HN ]