The Arrival of Hippos in Colombia
In the 1980s, Pablo Escobar imported several hippos from Africa to reside in his opulent private zoo at Hacienda Nápoles. These massive creatures were intended to be a symbol of his immense power and wealth. Transported at great expense, the hippos were housed in specially constructed enclosures. Their presence was both an attraction and a testament to Escobar’s reach and influence. After Escobar’s downfall, the government seized the estate, but the hippos were left to their own devices. Unchecked, they began to multiply, becoming an unexpected part of Colombia’s landscape and a looming ecological issue.
