They're the unlikely legacy of a drug empire: A herd of hulking hippos roaming free in Colombia. The descendants of specimens imported from Africa in the 1980s were kept by Pablo Escobar on his sprawling estate.

Today, they are no longer a curiosity, but an ivasive threat. They've multiplied, reshaped ecosystems and are sparking a thorny debate about whether culling them would be the best solution for all concerned.

Now, Indian billionaire heir and self-styled environmentalist Anant Ambani is offering a bold solution.

DW spoke with hippo expert Jan Pluhacek about the feasability of Ambani's plan.