People in a small Colombian town are reporting increased sightings of hippopotamuses in the area. The hippopotamus is native to Africa, not South America. But a local population of the animals developed from a private collection brought to Colombia by infamous drug trafficker Pablo Escobar. Escobar was the leader of Colombia’s Medellin drug cartel. At least 80 hippopotamuses are estimated to live around the rural town of Doradal, about 140 kilometers east of Medellin. The town is near Escobar’s former private estate, covering about 2,225 hectares. In the 1980s, during the height of his power, Escobar kept the hippos on the property in a private zoo, along with other animals such as elephants and giraffes.

What does cartel mean?
live in a rural area
group that controls an industry
along with other animals
famous drug trafficker
Where did he keep the animals?
in the area
in South America
a private zoo
for his family
The hippopotamus is native to Africa.
South America
North America
the drug cartel
Africa