Anant Ambani, son of the billionaire head of the multinational conglomerate Reliance Industries, said he had submitted a detailed plan to give the animals a new home at Vantara.
The animal centre is sited alongside the Reliance Jamnagar Refinery Complex, which the conglomerate says is the world’s largest crude oil refinery.
Summers there can get extremely hot, with temperatures soaring above 40°C.
Ambani’s proposal sets out a veterinary-led capture and transport, as well as the creation of a “purpose-designed naturalistic setting” for the hippos, according to a statement.
“Vantara has the expertise, infrastructure and resolve to support this effort, entirely on Colombia’s terms,” the statement said.
“These 80 hippos did not choose where they were born, nor did they create the circumstances they now face,” Ambani added.
“They are living, sentient beings, and if we have the ability to save them through a safe and humane solution, we have a responsibility to try.”
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