A New Jersey man whose wife was mauled to death by a hippo on an African safari has sued the tour company that organized the trip.
Craig Manders, 72, of Cranford, claims Connecticut-based African Portfolio was negligent and therefore liable for the death of his wife, Lisa Manders, according to NBC News.
Lisa, 70, was killed on June 5, 2024, while visiting Zambia alongside her husband and other members of a safari tour group. The lawsuit says Manders was killed when a “hippopotamus violently attacked her… crushing her head and body with its bite,” USA Today reported.
According to the lawsuit, the tour group was on a “bush walk” through Lower Zambezi National Park when it encountered the hippo by itself near a riverbank, NBC News reported. Hippos are known as fiercely territorial animals and, despite their immense size, they can reach speeds of 20 mph over short distances when they feel threatened.
However, the lawsuit says tour guides encouraged the Manders and other visitors to approach the edge of the riverbank for a view of the hippo, according to NJ.com. The hippo then roared out of the water and killed Lisa Manders.
“Had we understood the dangers posed by the hippopotamus, we never would have agreed to be in such close contact while on foot,” her husband told NBC News in a statement from his attorneys.
A lawyer for African Portfolio said the company was not responsible for the tragedy, describing it as a go-between for American tourists and African safari tours.
“My client is a tour operator. It organizes tours,” Rod Gould told NBC News. “A trip, for example, might include airfare. We’re not responsible if the airline loses luggage.”