A Beautiful, Destructive Plant
In 1884, the water hyacinth arrived in North America as an ornamental plant. Soon, it invaded Southern waterways, blocking trade routes and resisting all eradication efforts.
A Bold Proposal
In 1910, Louisiana Representative Robert F. Broussard proposed a unique solution: import African hippos to eat the water hyacinths and provide meat to alleviate a nationwide shortage. Dubbed “lake cow bacon,” hippo meat was praised as a potential food source.
A Wild Dream
Broussard gathered expert support, including scout Frederick Russell Burnham and South African soldier Fritz Duquesne, who testified on hippo meat’s benefits. They argued that these herbivores could safely live on waterfront ranches, solving both the hyacinth and meat crises.
An Idea Shelved
Despite media excitement, Congress ultimately set the idea aside. Broussard moved to the Senate, World War I shifted priorities, and America’s hippo ranching dreams faded. Yet, the water hyacinth remains a costly problem in Southern waterways to this day.
When Congress Nearly Embraced Hippo Ranching 🦛
A Beautiful, Destructive Plant
In 1884, the water hyacinth arrived in North America as an ornamental plant. Soon, it invaded Southern waterways, blocking trade routes and resisting all eradication efforts.A Bold Proposal
In 1910,… pic.twitter.com/Ks83tLhkoF— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) October 29, 2024