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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
New Jersey man sues after his wife was killed by a rampaging hippo while on safari in Zambia
A New Jersey man whose wife was killed by a hippopotamus is suing an African safari company, claiming their tour guide failed to keep her safe before the attack. Craig Manders sued Connecticut-based African Portfolio this month after a hippo fatally attacked his 70-year-old wife Lisa Manders during a trip in Zambia planned by the company. The Manders traveled with African Portfolio and participated in a 'bush walk' through the Zambian wilderness during a 10-day trip in June 2024. There, they came across a hippo sitting in a body of water — which the lawsuit claims the tour guides 'identified and highlighted' for the couple. The guides, one of whom had a rifle, then 'permitted' the Manders to approach the water before walking ahead, leaving them behind, the lawsuit states. Then, 'without warning,' the hippo 'charged' at Lisa, according to the lawsuit. Craig then watched as the hippo 'violently attacked her,' lifting her off the ground and 'crushing' her body, resulting in her death, according to the lawsuit. Now, Craig's attorneys say the company acted negligently in not warning the couple they were in 'extreme danger.' 'Although the leaders…knew, or should have known of the immediate and extreme danger the hippopotamus posed to Craig and Lisa Manders…they nonetheless negligently turned and left the area, walking ahead of and away from Craig and Lisa Manders and leaving them behind with no protection from the hippopotamus,' the lawsuit reads. Craig said he and Lisa would 'never have agreed to be in such close contact while on foot' if they understood the dangers the hippo posed. 'The idea that we were unwittingly exposed to such an extreme danger, a danger made even worse by our tour guides leaving Lisa alone on foot with nothing between her and such a deadly animal, is nothing short of astonishing,' Craig said in a statement shared with NBC News by his attorneys, Paul Slager and Nicole Coates. Meanwhile, African Portfolio's attorney Rod Gould told NBC News the incident was a 'really unusual tragedy' and said his client was not responsible for what happened to Lisa on the tour. 'My client is a tour operator. It organizes tours," Gould said. "A trip, for example, might include airfare. We're not responsible if the airline loses luggage." African Portfolio also said in a statement to The Independent the 'bush walk' was arranged by Chiawa Lodge, a 'highly regarded luxury safari lodge in Zambia.' '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. During the safari, a hippo unexpectedly charged, killing one of the guests,' the company said. '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,' they added. Lisa was a mother of three from Cranford, New Jersey. 'Lisa was the best mother and wife anyone could ever hope for,' Craig told NBC News. 'Her violent death is a devastating loss not only for our family, but for our community."
The Independent
13-02-2025
- The Independent
New Jersey man sues after his wife was killed by a rampaging hippo while on safari in Zambia
A New Jersey man whose wife was killed by a hippopotamus is suing an African safari company, claiming their tour guide failed to keep her safe before the attack. Craig Manders sued Connecticut-based African Portfolio this month after a hippo fatally attacked his 70-year-old wife Lisa Manders during a trip in Zambia planned by the company. The Manders traveled with African Portfolio and participated in a 'bush walk' through the Zambian wilderness during a 10-day trip in June 2024. There, they came across a hippo sitting in a body of water — which the lawsuit claims the tour guides 'identified and highlighted' for the couple. The guides, one of whom had a rifle, then 'permitted' the Manders to approach the water before walking ahead, leaving them behind, the lawsuit states. Then, 'without warning,' the hippo 'charged' at Lisa, according to the lawsuit. Craig then watched as the hippo 'violently attacked her,' lifting her off the ground and 'crushing' her body, resulting in her death, according to the lawsuit. Now, Craig's attorneys say the company acted negligently in not warning the couple they were in 'extreme danger.' 'Although the leaders…knew, or should have known of the immediate and extreme danger the hippopotamus posed to Craig and Lisa Manders…they nonetheless negligently turned and left the area, walking ahead of and away from Craig and Lisa Manders and leaving them behind with no protection from the hippopotamus,' the lawsuit reads. Craig said he and Lisa would 'never have agreed to be in such close contact while on foot' if they understood the dangers the hippo posed. 'The idea that we were unwittingly exposed to such an extreme danger, a danger made even worse by our tour guides leaving Lisa alone on foot with nothing between her and such a deadly animal, is nothing short of astonishing,' Craig said in a statement shared with NBC News by his attorneys, Paul Slager and Nicole Coates. Meanwhile, African Portfolio's attorney Rod Gould told NBC News the incident was a 'really unusual tragedy' and said his client was not responsible for what happened to Lisa on the tour. 'My client is a tour operator. It organizes tours," Gould said. "A trip, for example, might include airfare. We're not responsible if the airline loses luggage." African Portfolio also said in a statement to The Independent the 'bush walk' was arranged by Chiawa Lodge, a 'highly regarded luxury safari lodge in Zambia.' '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. During the safari, a hippo unexpectedly charged, killing one of the guests,' the company said. '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,' they added. Lisa was a mother of three from Cranford, New Jersey. 'Lisa was the best mother and wife anyone could ever hope for,' Craig told NBC News. 'Her violent death is a devastating loss not only for our family, but for our community."
