Pablo Escobar's Hippos and Criminal Empire

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Exploring the unique skin adaptation and territorial aggression of hippos, along with the presence of wild hippos in Colombia believed to be descended from those owned by Pablo Escobar. The chapter also delves into Escobar's rise from a perceived hero to a notorious drug trafficker, his lavish lifestyle, and political ambitions, culminating in his downfall as investigations expose his criminal activities and lead to violent retaliation by drug cartels in Colombia.

In the 1980s, Pablo Escobar smuggled four hippopotamuses into Colombia for a zoo on his ranch. Today, there are over 160 hippos in the country. “It’s like hippo paradise here. They have water and food all year long. They have no predators…They can do whatever they want."

Listen to Jorge Caraballo’s Radio Ambulante episode about narco tours here.

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