Today, Explained Cocaine hippos (and the case against pets)
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Apr 21, 2023 
Diana Duran, a South America correspondent for the Washington Post, explores the bizarre legacy of Pablo Escobar’s hippos wreaking havoc in Colombia. Kenny Torella, a staff writer at Vox, delves into the often-overlooked ethical dilemmas of pet ownership. They discuss how Escobar's imports highlight the dangers of non-native species while posing challenging questions about how well we understand our own pets’ needs. Together, they urge listeners to rethink the responsibilities and impacts of pet ownership in today’s society.
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Hippo Highway Accident
- A hippo was struck and killed by a car on a Colombian motorway.
- Hippos are increasingly present in Colombia, posing a growing problem.
Escobar's Hippos
- Pablo Escobar imported various exotic animals, including hippos, for his private zoo in Colombia.
- Four hippos, one female and three males, formed the base of the current population.
Hippos' Environmental Impact
- The hippos pose a threat to the local ecosystem.
- They prey on native species, and their waste pollutes the rivers.