How Pablo Escobar Single-Handedly Created the Hippo Crisis in Colombia

Drug lord Pablo Escobar smuggled four hippos into his own personal zoo during the 1980’s. But wild hippos are usually only native to Africa and their escape after Escobar’s death has left Colombia with an unexpected problem. Due to reproduction, there are now dozens roaming around one of the country’s rivers.

This episode looks at how the presence of these hippos affects Colombia’s biodiversity and how people became fond of their presence.

Vox Borders is an international documentary series by Emmy-nominated producer Johnny Harris exploring life at the edge of nations. Check out all the Vox Borders episodes here.