Pablo Escobar's "COCAINE HIPPOS" with Dr. Rebecca Lewinson

About this episode

Mark A Kyle interviews Dr. Rebecca Lewison about the surprising story of Pablo Escobar's hippos in Colombia and their impact on local ecosystems.

What do Pablo Escobar, Colombia, and hippos have in common? More than you might think. From their incredible size and surprising behaviors to the unusual story of how they became one of Colombia's most controversial wild animals, hippos are full of surprises. In this episode, Mark sits down with Dr. Rebecca Lewison , professor of biology at San Diego State University and one of the leading experts studying Colombia's hippos. Together, they explore what makes hippos one of Africa's most fascinating—and dangerous—animals before diving into the remarkable story of how Pablo Escobar's four imported hippos grew into a thriving wild population in Colombia. They discuss the impact these animals are having on native ecosystems and the difficult decisions scientists and governments face in managing their future. Are the "cocaine hippos" simply a bizarre legacy of a notorious drug lord, or have they become something far more complicated? Be sure to stay through the very end, where our Special Guest Comedians , Payton and Naomi Lewis , each share a fun animal joke that's sure to leave you smiling. www.hippos.org www.iucn.org www.fauna-flora.org www.pbs.org www.furrealpodcast.org…

People in this episode

Host: Mark A Kyle

Guest: Dr. Rebecca Lewison

Topics covered

• hippos
• Pablo Escobar
• Colombia
• wildlife management
• ecosystems
• animal behavior

Keywords

• hippos
• Pablo Escobar
• Colombia
• wildlife
• ecosystem
• animal behavior
• biology

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: San Diego State University, IUCN, Fauna & Flora International, PBS, The Fur Real Podcast

Places: Colombia

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