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South China Morning Post
09-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
The Lens: American woman killed by hippo during safari raises safety concerns
If you are interested in being a regular contributor for The Lens, please apply by clicking this link. Thoughts from last week Charis Chan, 15, Malvern College Hong Kong Charis Chan raises questions over safety measures and guide qualifications at wildlife excursions. Photo: Handout There is currently an ongoing lawsuit against the safari tour company African Portfolio following the tragic death of an American woman in a hippo attack. I believe that African Portfolio should take some responsibility for this incident. First and foremost, they arranged the walking safari and should have been aware of the specifics of the trip, including potential dangers and the qualifications of the tour guides. Given the well-documented risks associated with wildlife encounters, African Portfolio should have provided the couple with thorough warnings about possible dangers and outlined the steps to take in case of an accident. However, it is important to note that African Portfolio is not solely to blame for this tragedy. As stated by Rodney Gould, the company's lawyer, they do not have full control over operations in Zambia. Their focus is to arrange lodging, and the owners of the lodging provide the guides. Being based in the US makes it challenging for African Portfolio to ascertain how tour guides are trained and how the animals and tourists behave. This lack of direct oversight complicates their ability to prevent such incidents. To minimise risks on future safaris, companies could make it mandatory for customers to remain in a safe vehicle while observing wildlife. If customers desire closer contact with animals, the company should provide protective gear to ensure safety from potential bites. Additionally, tour guides should possess proven skills in handling weapons to effectively address emergencies, thereby protecting customers from severe animal attacks. Read up on the issue in last week's The Lens Read and observe The US joined Russia in voting against a UN resolution that called for an end to the war in Ukraine and condemned Russia's aggression. Photo: AFP The administration of US President Donald Trump is temporarily suspending US military aid for Ukraine, the White House confirmed last week. The suspension was announced just days after Trump clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. During his election campaign, Trump had questioned the necessity of US aid to Ukraine. Under Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, the US was Ukraine's largest supporter in the defensive struggle against Russia. The United States also split with its European allies last month by refusing to blame Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in votes on three UN resolutions seeking an end to the three-year war. In the UN General Assembly, the US joined Russia in voting against a Europe-backed Ukrainian resolution that called out Moscow's aggression and demanded a withdrawal of Russian troops. The US pushed for a vote on its original draft in the more powerful UN Security Council, where resolutions are legally binding, and it has veto power along with Russia, China, Britain and France. The vote in the 15-member council was 10-0, with five European countries abstaining. The duelling resolutions reflect the tensions between the US and Ukraine after Trump suddenly opened negotiations with Russia to resolve the conflict quickly. In the first vote, the General Assembly approved the Ukrainian resolution 93-18 with 65 abstentions. The result showed some diminished support for Ukraine because previous assembly votes saw more than 140 nations condemn Russia's aggression. The assembly then turned to the US-drafted resolution. The resolution acknowledges 'the tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict' and 'implores a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia', but never mentions Moscow's aggression. Research and respond What is the role of the United States and President Donald Trump in the UN General Assembly? What are the implications of the US stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
Voice of America
16-02-2025
- Voice of America
US man sues travel company after hippo kills wife on Zambia trip
A New Jersey man whose wife was killed in a horrific hippopotamus attack last year during a safari in Africa is suing the U.S. company that arranged the trip, alleging it failed to ensure their safety and did not adequately screen and supervise the tour guides. Craig and Lisa Manders were on a guided walk in Zambia in June when a hippo charged out of the water, grabbed Lisa Manders by its mouth and crushed her head and body with its bite, according to the lawsuit filed against African Portfolio, a safari tour company based in Greenwich, Connecticut. The company denies the lawsuit's allegations. The lawsuit, filed Feb. 5 in Stamford, Connecticut, alleges that as a horrified Craig Manders watched the attack, the tour guides — including at least one armed with a rifle — walked away without helping the couple. Lisa Manders, 70, suffered catastrophic injuries and died shortly after, the lawsuit says. "We're doing this because this should never have happened," said Paul Slager, an attorney who is representing Craig Manders with his law partner, Nicole Coates. "There are basic safety standards that businesses are expected to follow, and that includes people in the safari tour industry. And those were not followed, and the consequences here were absolutely devastating." Slager said the lawsuit seeks monetary damages that have not yet been determined, as well as accountability for Lisa Manders' death and keeping others safe in the future. He said Craig Manders was not giving interviews. The Manderses, of Cranford, New Jersey, were on a special anniversary trip and it was their first time in Africa, Slager said. Lisa Manders had worked in the financial industry for over 40 years and loved cooking, traveling and visiting New York City, where she was born in Queens in 1953, according to her obituary. The couple had three children and a granddaughter. The company's lawyer, Rodney Gould, said it was not negligent or reckless in connection with Lisa Manders' death. He said African Portfolio only arranged the couple's lodging and the owners of the lodging, Chiawa Safaris in Zambia, provided the tour guides. "It's a horrible tragedy when somebody goes on one of these trips and is injured or killed. It's awful," Gould said. "I think it's important to understand what African Portfolio's role in this is. It's a tour operator. It arranges trips. It puts together the pieces." He added, "My client didn't conduct the safari. It arranged it. It booked all the components." Gould also said the company was not negligent in vetting Chiawa, because it has an excellent reputation. He said African Portfolio will either ask a judge to dismiss the lawsuit or request that the matter go to arbitration, which was a condition of an agreement the Manderses signed for the trip. In a statement, African Portfolio did not directly address the lawsuit. It said Chiawa arranged the walking safari and guests were accompanied by an experienced and highly trained guide, a ranger and an armed National Park scout. It said Chiawa told authorities that safety measures were implemented before the attack and "repeated warnings" were issued to guests to return to the safety of the vehicle "during the incident." Asked whether the guests were warned about the hippo before the attack, African Portfolio said in an email only that "the statement is an accurate reflection of the events as we understand them." Gould declined to comment. The company also said its founder flew to Zambia immediately after the attack and joined Chiawa's owner in ensuring that "everything possible was being done to support the family and all those involved. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family, and everyone else involved in this tragic incident." The lawsuit, which does not mention Chiawa, says African safaris are "inherently dangerous activities" because of the unpredictability and sometime aggressive nature of wild animals, and they require careful planning and execution to be completed safely. It says African Portfolio vetted and oversaw the tour guides and vouched that they were competent, qualified and trained to keep people safe. The suit alleges that African Portfolio "encouraged and/or permitted" the Manderses to be exposed to an "avoidable and highly dangerous encounter with a dangerous hippopotamus in the Zambian wilderness." It also accuses the company of failing to provide safe conditions during the wilderness walk and failing to ensure that the tour guides were adequately selected, screened, supervised and trained to provide a safe experience. African Portfolio also failed to take adequate steps to protect the Manderses before and during the attack, the suit alleges. Hippos are the world's second-largest land mammals after elephants, measuring about 3.5 meters long and about 1.5 meters tall, according to International Fund for Animal Welfare. The average male hippo weighs about 3,200 kilograms. Hippos are known to be territorial and aggressive at times. A year before Lisa Manders died, seven people were killed in the southern African nation of Malawi when a hippo charged into a canoe and capsized it on a river. Estimates of how many people are killed by hippos each year vary, with lower figures beginning at around 500. Lisa Manders suffered "significant premorbid fear and emotional pain, suffering and mental anguish" before her death, the suit says. Craig Manders suffered severe and debilitating emotional and psychological injuries that have made it difficult for him to cope with daily routines, it says. The lawsuit is seeking damages on allegations of negligence and recklessness. "He's suing both for the loss of his wife and the impact that has on him and his life," Slager said. "And he also has a claim for having witnessed what happened to her, having seen the attack, which is unthinkable. It's unimaginable."
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
Safari operator sued after New Jersey woman mauled to death by a hippo
The husband of a New Jersey woman, who was killed by a rampaging hippopotamus during the couple's trip in Zambia last year, is suing the safari tour operator for alleged negligence. According to a court document reviewed by Fox News Digital, a complaint was filed on Feb. 5 in Connecticut's Stamford Superior Court by Craig Manders of Cranford, New Jersey against African Portfolio. The complaint stated that Craig, 72, and his wife Lisa, 70, participated in a 10-day safari trip in Zambia arranged through the Connecticut-based African Portfolio. "Craig and Lisa Manders reasonably relied on African Portfolio to ensure the Zambia Safari was planned, executed and operated in a reasonably safe manner," the complaint noted. South African Elephant Kills Tourist Who Was Trying To Save Children At Kruger National Park During the couple's guided "bush walk" last May, a hippo, which was partially submerged in a river, "suddenly and without warning, lifted its head and charged from the water." Read On The Fox News App Lisa attempted in vain to flee, but "was unable to escape, and the hippopotamus violently attacked her, grabbing her by its mouth, lifting her from the ground, shaking her entire body, and crushing her head and body with its bite," according to the court document. She suffered "catastrophic injuries" and died following the attack. READ THE LAWSUIT. MOBILE USERS Click Here The lawsuit noted that the armed guide fled as Craig had a front-row seat to the horrific attack. "They should have known that approaching and/or standing on the bank of the body of water near the wild hippopotamus posed an immediate and grave threat to the safety and well-being of Craig and Lisa Manders," the lawsuit said. Colorado Court Rules Elephants At Zoo Cannot Pursue Their Release Because They Are Not Human "Craig and Lisa, in contrast, were neither fully aware nor adequately warned," it says. African Portfolio attorney Rodney Gould told Fox News Digital that African Portfolio arranged the couple's lodging and the owners of the lodging, Chiawa Safaris in Zambia, provided the tour guides. "The incident occurred on a walking safari arranged by Chiawa Lodge. Chiawa reported that the guests were accompanied by a highly trained and experienced professional guide, a ranger and an armed National Park scout," he said. "During the safari, a hippo unexpectedly charged, killing one of the guests. Chiawa Lodge confirmed to both the Police, and Department of National Parks & Wildlife investigations at the time, that all safety measures had been implemented both before and during the incident, and repeated verbal warnings for the guests to return to the safety of the vehicle were issued during the incident." "Immediately afterwards, African Portfolio's founder flew to Zambia to provide assistance, along with the owner of Chiawa Lodge, to ensure that everything possible was being done to support the family and all those involved," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family, and everyone else involved in this tragic incident." The attack left Craig Manders emotionally debilitated and traumatized, according to the complaint. He's seeking at least $15,000 in damages to pay for Lisa's funeral and other expenses. Lisa Manders had worked in the financial industry for over 40 years and loved cooking, traveling and visiting New York City, where she was born in Queens in 1953, according to her obituary. The couple had three children and a article source: Safari operator sued after New Jersey woman mauled to death by a hippo
Fox News
13-02-2025
- Fox News
Safari operator sued after New Jersey woman mauled to death by a hippo
The husband of a New Jersey woman, who was killed by a rampaging hippopotamus during the couple's trip in Zambia last year, is suing the safari tour operator for alleged negligence. According to a court document reviewed by Fox News Digital, a complaint was filed on Feb. 5 in Connecticut's Stamford Superior Court by Craig Manders of Cranford, New Jersey against African Portfolio. The complaint stated that Craig, 72, and his wife Lisa, 70, participated in a 10-day safari trip in Zambia arranged through the Connecticut-based African Portfolio. "Craig and Lisa Manders reasonably relied on African Portfolio to ensure the Zambia Safari was planned, executed and operated in a reasonably safe manner," the complaint noted. During the couple's guided "bush walk" last May, a hippo, which was partially submerged in a river, "suddenly and without warning, lifted its head and charged from the water." Lisa attempted in vain to flee, but "was unable to escape, and the hippopotamus violently attacked her, grabbing her by its mouth, lifting her from the ground, shaking her entire body, and crushing her head and body with its bite," according to the court document. She suffered "catastrophic injuries" and died following the attack. READ THE LAWSUIT. MOBILE USERS CLICK HERE The lawsuit noted that the armed guide fled as Craig had a front-row seat to the horrific attack. "They should have known that approaching and/or standing on the bank of the body of water near the wild hippopotamus posed an immediate and grave threat to the safety and well-being of Craig and Lisa Manders," the lawsuit said. "Craig and Lisa, in contrast, were neither fully aware nor adequately warned," it says. African Portfolio attorney Rodney Gould told Fox News Digital that African Portfolio arranged the couple's lodging and the owners of the lodging, Chiawa Safaris in Zambia, provided the tour guides. "The incident occurred on a walking safari arranged by Chiawa Lodge. Chiawa reported that the guests were accompanied by a highly trained and experienced professional guide, a ranger and an armed National Park scout," he said. "During the safari, a hippo unexpectedly charged, killing one of the guests. Chiawa Lodge confirmed to both the Police, and Department of National Parks & Wildlife investigations at the time, that all safety measures had been implemented both before and during the incident, and repeated verbal warnings for the guests to return to the safety of the vehicle were issued during the incident." "Immediately afterwards, African Portfolio's founder flew to Zambia to provide assistance, along with the owner of Chiawa Lodge, to ensure that everything possible was being done to support the family and all those involved," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family, and everyone else involved in this tragic incident." The attack left Craig Manders emotionally debilitated and traumatized, according to the complaint. He's seeking at least $15,000 in damages to pay for Lisa's funeral and other expenses. Lisa Manders had worked in the financial industry for over 40 years and loved cooking, traveling and visiting New York City, where she was born in Queens in 1953, according to her obituary. The couple had three children and a granddaughter.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Husband of NJ woman killed by hippo on African safari sues tour company
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 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.'
