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Shutterstock/Martin Mecnarowski

Headless hippo found at Mexico ranch

The nine-year-old hippo was found headless and skinned.

THE HEADLESS AND skinned remains of a hippopotamus have been found at a central Mexico ranch, days after the animal escaped its pen and was struck by a car.

The nine-year-old female hippo died on Sunday when it was hit by a vehicle on a road in Puebla state after escaping from Rancho Dolores in Ciudad Serdan, an official at the federal environmental prosecutor’s office said.

When environmental inspectors went to the ranch, they found that the body, according to the prosecutor’s office, “lacked its head and skin, which were sent to a taxidermist”.

The hippo was able to escape because ranch workers had left the main entrance open and the pond where the animal lived lacked a perimeter fence, the statement said.

The ranch had not legally registered the hippo and the owner lacks a management plan, which demonstrates “clear irregularities,” the prosecutor’s office said.

The ranch faces a possible fine ranging between €180 and €180,000.

Another 29 animals, including two lions and a Bengal tiger, were seized from the property last April because the owners lacked certificates of origin, which they finally produced in November.

The hippo arrived at the ranch from a circus on 26 December.

A new law last year prohibited the use of wild animals in circus shows, forcing owners to find new homes for their animals.

- © AFP, 2016

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    Mute jenni
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    Jan 7th 2016, 9:10 PM

    There really are some sick b**tards on this planet.

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    Mute (♐️)Sagiton Games.
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    Jan 7th 2016, 11:55 PM

    Well the animal was already dead. Or are you referring to people who perpetuate the circus trade?

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    Mute graham galvin
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    Jan 7th 2016, 8:59 PM

    The cartels getting their new year practice in.

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    Mute Malcolm McCarthy
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    Jan 7th 2016, 8:58 PM

    I hope he lost his head hippopostumously

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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Jan 7th 2016, 9:54 PM

    Struck by a car? And how did that car turn out?!

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    Mute Aidan Ryan
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    Jan 7th 2016, 9:12 PM

    What’s weird is that it is MY new years resolution to decapitate and skin more hippopotami.

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    Mute gregory
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    Jan 7th 2016, 9:06 PM

    Sorrry for this poor hippo but other animals clearly at risk. Up tye fines to 1 $ mln and problem will be sorted.

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    Mute John Mac
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    Jan 7th 2016, 10:05 PM

    If only the hippo had a name …..

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    Mute Séamus Longshanks
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    Jan 7th 2016, 10:31 PM

    Pottomous I believe

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    Mute Podge Cannon
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    Jan 8th 2016, 12:04 AM

    Insert shit pun here

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    Mute Séamus Longshanks
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    Jan 7th 2016, 10:31 PM

    Headless hippo in S. America, you know the world is fecked up when you read that.

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    Mute Rafer Janders
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    Jan 7th 2016, 10:49 PM

    Mexico is in North America

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    Mute Paul Fanshawe
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    Jan 8th 2016, 7:34 AM

    Mexico? Lots of headless people found all the time there,: never mind the Hippo. I was tempted to go there once but things are too bad there now. It’s completely lawless and corrupt.

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    Mute Minom Pnom
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    Jan 8th 2016, 9:01 AM

    It’s a big place. Stay away from the cartel and other crime areas and its fine.

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    Mute Minom Pnom
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    Jan 8th 2016, 9:07 AM

    Further south in Colombia auld Pablo Escobar once had a ranch with a zoo. After he was gone most of the animals were taken by other zoos.however the two hippos that he had were not taken. Now there are over 50 hippos living in the wild in the area in a place two hours from medellin. Its the largest population of hippos outside Africa. They cause havoc for the locals. Crazy stuff. No zoo wants them as they are inbred and animal rights dont want them put down.

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    Mute Paul Culligan
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    Jan 7th 2016, 11:33 PM

    Madagascar 2 …..gone wrong!

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    Mute Barra O Brien
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    Jan 7th 2016, 10:33 PM

    Loved that game.

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