Key takeaways from the incident include:

• Craig Manders is suing African Portfolio after his wife, Lisa Manders, was killed by a hippo in Zambia.
• The lawsuit alleges negligence in failing to protect the couple during their safari.
• African Portfolio claims responsibility lies with the lodge that managed the safari.
• Hippos are known for their aggressive behavior and can be extremely dangerous, as highlighted by the incident.
• This tragic event has raised concerns about safety standards in wildlife tours.

A New Jersey man is pursuing legal action against a safari tour company, African Portfolio, following the tragic death of his wife during a hippo attack in Zambia last year. The couple, Craig and Lisa Manders, were on a guided safari when the incident occurred in June 2024. According to the lawsuit filed in Stamford, Connecticut, the tour guides allegedly failed to ensure the couple's safety, permitting them to walk too close to the water where the hippo was located.

As described in the suit, while participating in a "bush walk," Craig observed a hippo before the guides allowed him and his wife to approach the water's edge. The suit claims that the guides, one of whom was armed, left the couple behind, failing to warn them of the dangers posed by the hippo. In a horrifying turn of events, the animal charged at Lisa, lifting her off the ground and inflicting fatal injuries, Craig reported witnessing the entire attack. “The idea that we were unwittingly exposed to such an extreme danger...is nothing short of astonishing,” Craig said in a statement released by his attorneys, Paul Slager and Nicole Coates.

The lawsuit accuses African Portfolio of negligence, arguing that they had the obligation to evaluate and mitigate potential risks associated with the safari experience. “Although the leaders...knew, or should have known of the immediate and extreme danger...they nonetheless negligently turned and left the area,” the lawsuit alleges, claiming this negligence led to Lisa Manders' horrific demise.

In response, African Portfolio’s attorney, Rodney Gould, stated the company is not responsible for the tragedy, emphasizing their role as a tour operator that bookings and arrangements, rather than overseeing the safaris directly. He noted that the bush walk was arranged by Chiawa Lodge, a reputable safari lodge known for its expertise and quality service. “It's a horrible tragedy when somebody goes on one of these trips and is injured or killed. It's awful,” Gould commented, maintaining that the company had vetted the guides appropriately.

This incident highlights the inherent risks associated with wildlife safaris. Hippos, one of the largest land mammals, are notorious for their territorial behavior and can be aggressive, posing danger to humans in their vicinity. The lawsuit raises critical concerns about safety protocols and responsibilities in extreme environments like safaris.

Lisa Manders, 70, was described by her husband as a devoted mother and wife, whose untimely death sent shockwaves through her community in Cranford, New Jersey. Craig Manders and his legal representatives seek not only accountability but also damages that have yet to be specified, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in the future. For further details on the heartbreaking case, see the reports from CBS News, HuffPost, and The Independent.