Why are the 'cocaine hippos' in Colombia considered an invasive species?

The 'cocaine hippos' are descendants of four hippos illegally imported by drug kingpin Pablo Escobar in the 1980s. After his death, the animals were left unmanaged and multiplied rapidly. Today, their population has grown to around 200. Since hippos are native to Africa and have no natural predators in Colombia, they are considered an invasive species. Their growing numbers threaten indigenous flora and fauna, including species like the West Indian manatee, Neotropical otter, spectacled caiman, Dahl’s toad-headed turtle, and the Magdalena River turtle.

Where are Colombia’s 'cocaine hippos' primarily located?

The hippos are thriving in the fertile region between Medellín and Bogotá and are spreading into the Magdalena River, one of Colombia’s main waterways. Their expanding range has raised environmental concerns due to ecological imbalance and potential human-wildlife conflict.

What is the conservation status of the Peacock Tarantula?

The Peacock Tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) is currently classified as critically endangered. It faces threats from habitat loss, degradation, and illegal pet trade. The species is endemic to the Eastern Ghats of India and plays an important ecological role as a predator that helps maintain insect population balance.

Why is the Peacock Tarantula ecologically important?

The Peacock Tarantula contributes to ecosystem stability by regulating insect populations. As a predator species in deciduous forests of central and southern India, it maintains ecological balance, similar to other tarantula species.

What is the geographical significance of the Bering Strait?

The Bering Strait separates Russia and Alaska at their closest point of approximately 53 miles. It is a shallow strait that connects the Pacific Ocean to the Arctic Ocean. Despite its size, it plays a crucial role in transporting nutrient-rich Pacific waters to the ecosystems of the Chukchi Sea and the western Arctic Ocean.

What is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)?

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a large-scale ocean circulation system that moves water from north to south and back in a long cycle within the Atlantic Ocean. It transports warm surface waters toward the poles, where cooling and increased salinity cause the water to sink and flow southward at depth. The cycle completes through upwelling. AMOC carries heat and nutrients essential for sustaining ocean life and influences global climate patterns.

Why is AMOC important for global climate?

AMOC helps regulate global climate by redistributing heat across continents and supporting marine ecosystems through nutrient transport. Scientific evidence suggests that human-induced warming has weakened AMOC in recent decades, and further slowdown could significantly impact weather systems across multiple continents.

Doggerland was a vast landmass beneath the present-day North Sea that connected Britain to mainland Europe during the Ice Age. It supported dense forests, wildlife, and possibly early human communities before being submerged by rising sea levels. Recent research using sedimentary ancient DNA from marine cores indicates that Doggerland may have served as a climatic refuge during peak Ice Age conditions.

How did scientists reconstruct the history of Doggerland?

Scientists analyzed sedimentary ancient DNA extracted from marine cores taken from the seabed of the North Sea. This analysis helped map environmental history spanning several millennia. Findings revealed early forest development and lime trees that appeared around 2,000 years earlier than previously recorded on the British mainland.

Daily UPSC Prelims MCQs - Environment & Geography - 7th May 2026

Devesh
May 7
1 min read

Test your UPSC CSE 2026 preparation with today’s Environment & Geography (Every Thursday) Quiz — covering cocaine hippos, Peacock Tarantula, Bering Strait, Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), Doggerland and more.

Science, Technology & Environment MCQs Part - II Jan - April 2026

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