h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am very sad about the Phillipines getting deforested. The human inhabitants have suffered a lot at the hands of both Spanish and Americans, they are a lovely people. Hornbills are a very interesting and pretty lot of birds. It is sad that they are disappearing.

Hippos as invasive species in Columbia. One dead drug lord's estate had a herd of hippos and since the place is lush and there is no such thing as a dry season these are reproducing at a rapid rate. So far there have been no casualties --but one group has inhabited the local river and the potential for casualties is increased drastically. They are also rather expensive for a poor country to maintain and treat---the vets want to castrate all the males but the locals say it is the politicians that need that operation, not the animals.

Sorry, Willem, here is the link for that. Just having a moment there:

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27905743

Thanks for that Elektra! Interesting problem. Shouldn't have occurred in the first place ... but I hope they manage a solution that isn't too messy ...