Man sues safari owners after Hippo mauls wife to death
The spouse of Lisa Manders, a woman from New Jersey who was fatally attacked by a rampaging hippopotamus during the couple's trip to Zambia last year, is taking legal action against the safari tour operator, claiming negligence.
As part of their safari expedition in Zambia, the Manders participated in a "bush walk" in the "African wilderness" on 5 June 2024, guided by leaders from African Portfolio, according to the complaint. It was further alleged that the employees of the tour company prompted the Manders to explore the countryside on foot.
During the bush walk, the guides pointed out particular signs indicating the presence of dangerous wildlife and advised participants to heed these signs, the complaint stated.
The group, which included the Manders, reached the edge of a body of water where a single hippopotamus could be seen partially submerged. The complaint alleged that the guides "negligently encouraged and allowed" the participants of the bush walk, including the Manders, to "approach the water and stand on the bank" to watch and photograph the hippo.
Mr Craig stated that the tour guides then allegedly turned and left the area, leaving behind Craig and Lisa as the couple remained near the body of water.
The complaint details an incident in which the hippo abruptly raised its head, charged from the water, and moved towards Lisa, with no physical barrier separating them at the time.
“While Lisa Manders tried to escape,” the complaint stated, “she was unable to get away, and the hippopotamus viciously attacked her, seizing her in its jaws, lifting her off the ground, shaking her violently, and crushing her head and body with its bite.”
Lisa succumbed shortly after suffering “catastrophic injuries” from the attack, which was witnessed by Craig, according to the complaint.
Craig asserted in the complaint that African Portfolio “was negligent in failing to provide a safe environment during the Zambia Safari.”
Craig is seeking more than $15000 in compensation.
