When notorious drug kingpin Pable Escobar died, he left behind a legacy of brutal crime, opulent living and, oddly enough, four hippos. Fast forward to the modern day, and experts estimate as many as 50 hippopotamuses may roam free in the lands around Escobar's old estate. So what happens when these 4.5 ton animals decide to make themselves at home in Colombia?
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10/24/17 • 30 min
3 Listeners
Ridiculous History - The Wild Hippos of Pablo Escobar
Transcript Summary
In this intriguing episode titled "The Wild Hippos of Pablo Escobar," you'll discover the untold story of hippos that once belonged to the notorious drug lord. While most of the animals from Pablo Escobar's private zoo were relocated after his reign, the hippos remained and their population has since boomed. Thriving and reproducing at a younger age, these hippos now pose ecological issues in Colombia's rivers due to their abundant waste. Despite the locals underestimating their danger, concerns about invasive animal populations thriving in new ecosystems have arisen. From children taking baby hippo calves as pets to concrete statues in a theme park, the impact of these hippos goes beyond their appearance. Difficult decisions are being discussed to manage their population, such as building a reserve with proper hippo fences, relocation, or even considering drastic measures like eliminating or castrating them. With the situation deemed a ticking time bomb by the World Wildlife Foundation, this episode explores the potential solutions and the urgent need for a safe place where these hippos can be observed from a distance. Don't miss this captivating episode that sheds light on the unexpected legacy of Pablo Escobar and the ecological challenges caused by his former hippos.
Transcript
Welcome to the show, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Ben, I'm Noel, and today we are delving into you know, even for us, this is a weird one. Noel, what shows this? This is ridiculous. Sister cool in the right place? Yeah, yeah, yeah, well we have a bumper that plays right, but we don't hear it. That's a little people behind the curtain like that's added in posts. So you know, sometimes I get a little confused as to you know, why are we admired. It's a
The Wild Hippos of Pablo Escobar Top Questions Answered
What animals did Pablo Escobar have in his public zoo?
Pablo Escobar had smuggled exotic animals in his public zoo, including four hippopotamuses.
How did locals view the hippos in Escobar's zoo?
The locals saw the hippos as a symbol of Escobar's benevolence and loved them.
What happened to the zoo after Pablo Escobar's death?
After Escobar's death, the zoo was shut down, and most animals were relocated, except for the hippos.
How did the hippo population in Colombia grow?
The hippo population in Colombia, known as the Medellin hippos, reproduced and their population grew rapidly.
What negative impact do the hippos have on the ecosystem in Colombia?
The hippos' waste is causing concerns in Colombia, as it clogs the rivers, leads to algae blooms, and decreases oxygen levels.
Are the hippos in Colombia dangerous?
While the hippos may appear docile, they can be aggressive and fast when provoked, posing a danger to humans.
What other invasive animal populations have thrived in new ecosystems?
Examples of other invasive animal populations thriving in new ecosystems include feral camels in Australia and feral hippos in Colombia.
How have locals in Colombia responded to the hippos?
Some locals in Colombia have taken a nonchalant attitude towards the hippos, with some even taking baby hippos home as pets.
What solutions have been proposed to deal with the hippos?
Proposed solutions include building a reserve with proper hippo fences or transporting them back to their native regions, but these options are expensive.
What is the potential danger of the hippo population in Colombia?
The rapid growth of the hippo population in Colombia is considered a ticking time bomb and could potentially turn violent, harming or killing humans and endangering the ecosystem, according to the World Wildlife Foundation.
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