Home / Series / Discovery Channel Documentaries / Aired Order / Season 2014 / Episode 11

Drug Kingpin Hippos

During his stronghold on Columbia, Pablo Escobar, one of the richest and most violent drug lords in history, imported a host of rare and exotic animals for his private zoo on his famous estate, Hacienda Napoles, including four hippos. Over three decades later, this one-off special reveals another side to the cocaine trafficker, and explores the lasting threat that he and his hippos, now multiplied to over 30, pose for the country. Columbian authorities are battling to contain the hippos which now form the largest population of non-native hippos outside of Africa. If they keep reproducing at the alarming rate they are, experts believe there will be at least one hundred hippos in Columbia by the end of the decade. Thankfully there hasn't been a human tragedy but with reports of a hippo escaping the Hacienda Napoles, now a theme park and zoo, and running wild in the Magdalena river basin, that could be only a matter of time. Drug Kingpin Hippos joins a team of veterinarians as they race to capture, castrate, and relocate the male bull hippo before it reaches the huge expanse of the river, with major cities either side. The film also features rare archival footage and exclusive interviews, including one with Roberto Escobar, Pablo's eldest brother and best friend, providing viewers with a history of Escobar's rise to prominence, his demise as the world's preeminent narco-terrorist, and the continued hold he still has on the country, in the shape of hippos.

English
  • Runtime 45 minutes
  • Content Rating United States of America TV-G
  • Network Discovery
  • Created August 24, 2014 by
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  • Modified August 24, 2014 by
    Administrator admin