Colombian officials said Friday they have killed a hippopotamus that escaped from the famous menagerie of fallen Colombian drug baron Pablo Escobar.

Authorities say at least two hippopotamuses bolted from the late drug lord's zoo two years ago and have survived on the lush vegetation of the steamy Magdalena valley in northern Colombia.

The Colombian government recently ordered the animals killed, saying they posed a risk to local communities.

Animal rights activists have denounced the hunt.

Cocaine king Escobar, who maintained a private zoo of exotic animals, was gunned down by police in 1993.  

Most of his animals were turned over to zoos after his death.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.