Pablo Escobar, often dubbed the “King of Cocaine,” amassed an unprecedented fortune in the late 20th century. As the notorious leader of the Medellín Cartel, his wealth was extravagant, and he indulged in a lifestyle that few could imagine. Among his many eccentricities was the acquisition of exotic animals, which he housed on his lavish estate, Hacienda Nápoles. This included a private zoo with giraffes, elephants, and most notably, hippos. After Escobar’s death in 1993, these animals were largely forgotten, yet the hippos thrived in Colombia’s environment, setting the stage for an unforeseen ecological impact.
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