Pablo Escobar is the legendary Columbian drug cartel that
ran a cocaine empire throughout the 1980s. Although he has been dead since 1993
his name coincides with more than cocaine. Thirty years after Escobar’s rein
his private stash of hippos became a violent threat. And multiplying…
Animal Planet’s 60 minute special ironically called “Drug
Kingpin Hippos” was split between Escobar’s cocaine legacy and chasing rampant
horny hippos. Although most of the show had absolutely nothing to do with the
hippo issue, the show emphasized the danger of these water bulls while
simultaneously giving the audience a history lesson about the world’s most
dangerous drug lord.
The situation at hand is the 4 hippos that Pablo originally
had increased to a staggering 32 creating a massive problem for the Columbian
government. The daring veterinary team had a marshland obstacle course to
overcome especially since these animals weigh about 4 tons each and are known
for charging when threatened.
Though the plan was simple enough: to nip the problem in the
nuts by castrating “Big Papa Hippo,” the narration made it seem like a joke by
comparing the hippos escape tactics to the end of Escobar’s life, when he was
hiding from the U.S and the Columbian governments. Would they kill this hippo
if they could not catch him? Or would he kill himself like Escobar? “The hippo
like Escobar would not go down without a fight,” which is exactly why the
veterinary team had to confiscate his testicles.
After several tranquilizer shots bounced off the hippo’s
blubber, the team finally managed to sedate and castrate the animal before
transporting him to a nearby secure facility. In the end the hippo much like
Escobar, lost his manhood and freedom for the greater good of Columbia.
Catch the “Drug Kingpin Hippos” special on Animal Planet
from 2/28 until 3/14. Pay close attention to the creative Columbian veterinarians,
especially the exceptionally excited female holding the massive hippo nuts!
