Tonight at 9:30 PM, episode 451 of KBS1’s ‘The World Now’ dives into why an Indian billionaire has stepped in to save 200 “Cocaine Hippos” left behind by a notorious drug lord. The episode also examines the direction of the US ‘Project Freedom’ and peace negotiations between the US and Iran.
Colombian Drug Lord’s Hippos Face Euthanasia
Recently, residents in Colombia have suffered attacks from hippos, with some even falling into comas. As the situation worsened, the Colombian government decided to euthanize the animals. Since hippos typically only live in Africa due to their strict habitat requirements, many are curious about how they ended up in South America.
These hippos live in Colombia’s Magdalena River and are known locally as “Cocaine Hippos.” This is because the famous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar imported them in the 1980s for his private zoo. After Escobar’s death in 1993, the hippos were left to roam wild. What started as just four hippos has grown to 200, and the population is expected to reach 500 by 2030 and over 1,000 by 2035.
This population explosion has become a major headache for the Colombian government. A single hippo consumes 70kg of food daily and pollutes the water with massive amounts of waste. Consequently, fish are dying off in groups, and native species like otters, crocodiles, and turtles are losing their habitats. The hippos have also caused significant damage to residential areas by blocking roads and eating crops. One fisherman described a near-attack by a standing hippo as a “total nightmare.” Consequently, on the 13th of last month, the Colombian government decided to euthanize 80 hippos living in the Magdalena River.
Following this announcement, an unexpected savior appeared: Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani. He requested the Colombian government to reconsider the cull and offered to take the 80 hippos himself. Known as an animal lover, he operates an animal rescue center in India that is about four times the size of Yeouido and houses over 150,000 wild animals. All eyes are now on the fate of these “Cocaine Hippos.”
Project Freedom
Peace agreements between the US and Iran are gaining momentum. On the 6th, President Trump stated that Iran agreed to give up nuclear weapons and that a deal could be finalized before his scheduled visit to China on the 14th. However, Iran countered, stating that while negotiations are ongoing, reports that the end of the war is imminent are “fake.” Will the peace negotiations between the US and Iran succeed this time?
Just a few days ago, tensions between the two nations were at their peak. On the 3rd, President Trump announced a new operation in the Strait of Hormuz called “Project Freedom” via social media.
The project aims to help third-party ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz exit safely. The deployment of 15,000 US troops, along with guided-missile destroyers, drones, and aircraft, was also announced.
Iran immediately responded strongly, calling “Project Freedom” a violation of the ceasefire agreement. Attacks in the Gulf region, which had stopped since the ceasefire, resumed, and a fire broke out at the Fujairah petrochemical complex in the UAE following an Iranian attack. President Trump issued a stern warning, saying he would “make the Iranian army disappear from the face of the earth.”
However, just one day after the project began, President Trump suddenly announced a temporary suspension, claiming there had been “great progress” in the agreement with Iran. Will a peace deal finally be reached and the Strait of Hormuz be opened? The episode analyzes the turbulence of Hormuz, standing at the crossroads of peace and escalation.
Episode 451 of ‘The World Now’ features announcer Yoon Soo-young, Professor Kim Jae-cheon (Sogang University), Director Oh Kun-young (Shinhan Bank), and Professor Moon Chung-shik (Chung-Ang University). It will air live on KBS1 on May 9 at 9:30 PM.
