politics
May 8, 2026
Is it true that Escobar's hippos were used to hide drugs?: This is what history says
The animals can weigh up to two tons, which implies unprecedented logistical challenges. Photo: iStock
TL;DR
- New journalistic versions suggest Pablo Escobar's hippos were not just a symbol of luxury but also served a functional purpose.
- The dung of the hippos is said to have been used to affect the work of anti-narcotics dogs.
- This tactic could have helped the Medellín Cartel by hindering drug detection efforts.
- The Hacienda Nápoles zoo housed exotic animals, including nine African hippos, brought from various countries.
- After Escobar's death, the hippos reproduced uncontrollably, becoming an invasive population in Colombia.
- The growing hippo population poses environmental challenges, impacting local species and ecosystems.