The husband of a woman who was tragically killed by a charging hippo has spoken out about the devastating ordeal.
Lisa Manders, a 70-year-old mother of three from New Jersey, was fatally attacked during a safari trip in Zambia while traveling with her husband.
She reportedly suffered catastrophic injuries from the powerful jaws of the hippo and died moments after the attack.
Now, her grieving husband, Craig, is suing the tour operator, claiming the company failed to ensure her safety.
According to the lawsuit, the couple had left the U.S. on May 31, 2024, for a ten-day safari, and had been at the resort for just five days when they embarked on a guided “bush walk” along the riverbank, an excursion that turned deadly.
In a statement through his attorneys, Paul Slager and Nicole Coates, Craig expressed his devastation: “Had we understood the dangers posed by the hippopotamus, we never would have agreed to be in such close contact while on foot.”
He added, “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.”
The lawsuit, filed in Stamford Superior Court, argues that the guides “knew or should have known” that bringing tourists into close proximity with wild hippos posed an “immediate and extreme danger,” given the animals’ known tendencies to be territorial, aggressive, and unpredictable.
Shockingly, the lawsuit claims that even the armed guide, who was supposed to protect the group, had left the area when the hippo suddenly charged at Lisa.
Hippos are among the most dangerous animals on the planet, despite their bulky size, they can reach speeds of 20 mph, making them lethal threats when provoked.
Despite her desperate attempts to escape, the hippo caught Lisa and “violently attacked” her, according to the lawsuit.
The massive animal reportedly clamped its jaws around her body, lifted her off the ground, shook her violently, and crushed her head and torso.
Legal representatives for the tour operator, African Portfolio, a Connecticut-based company, acknowledged the tragedy but called it a “really unusual” incident.
Rod Gould, an attorney for African Portfolio, stated that the company merely organizes safari tours and should not be held responsible for what happens on the trips.
“My client is a tour operator. It organizes tours. A trip, for example, might include airfare. We’re not responsible if the airline loses luggage,” Gould explained.
However, the lawsuit argues that the Manders were not “adequately warned” about the dangers near the water and were “negligently encouraged” to approach the riverbank to observe the hippo.
Craig’s legal team insists the horrific attack was “entirely preventable.”
“Interacting with the natural world in the wilderness can be an incredibly rich experience,” attorney Paul Slager of Slager Madry LLC told NBC News. “But wilderness guides and tour operators like African Portfolio carry the responsibility to ensure basic safety precautions are taken so that customers are not unnecessarily exposed to extreme dangers.”
Lisa’s obituary describes her as a devoted wife and mother. Born in Queens, New York, she graduated from Oneonta University and spent 40 years working in finance. She had a passion for cooking, traveling, and visiting New York City.
She is survived by her husband Craig, their children Casey, Trevor, and Mackenzie, her brother Paul Langer, and her granddaughter Lulu.
“Lisa was the best mother and wife anyone could ever hope for,” Craig said. “Her violent death is a devastating loss, not only for our family but for our community.”
