Stamford, CT – Craig Manders, of Cranford, New Jersey, has filed a lawsuit against African Portfolio, a Greenwich, Connecticut-based safari tour company, following the tragic death of his wife, Lisa, during a safari in Zambia last June. The lawsuit, filed in Stamford, Connecticut, alleges the company’s negligence in ensuring the safety of its clients and inadequate screening and supervision of tour guides led to the fatal incident.
The Manders, celebrating their anniversary, were on a guided walking tour in Zambia when a hippopotamus emerged from the water and attacked Lisa Manders, 70. According to the lawsuit, the hippo seized Mrs. Manders in its jaws, inflicting catastrophic injuries that resulted in her immediate death. The suit further claims that tour guides, including at least one armed with a rifle, abandoned the couple during the attack, failing to intervene or provide assistance. Mr. Manders was forced to witness the horrific event unfold.
Paul Slager, the attorney representing Mr. Manders, stated, "This should never have happened. Basic safety standards exist for businesses, especially in the safari tour industry, and these standards were blatantly disregarded, leading to devastating consequences." The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages for the loss of Mrs. Manders, as well as accountability from African Portfolio to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Mr. Manders is not currently granting interviews.
Lisa Manders, a financial professional with over 40 years of experience, was a devoted wife, mother of three, and grandmother. Her obituary described her passions for cooking, travel, and New York City, where she was born. The trip to Africa was a special occasion for the couple, their first experience on the continent.
African Portfolio’s lawyer, Rodney Gould, denies the allegations of negligence and recklessness. He contends that African Portfolio acted solely as a tour operator, arranging lodging and other logistical aspects of the trip, while the actual safari and tour guides were provided by Chiawa Safaris, a Zambian company. "It's a terrible tragedy," Gould acknowledged. "However, it's crucial to understand African Portfolio’s limited role. They arranged the trip; they didn't conduct the safari itself." Gould further stated that Chiawa Safaris has an excellent reputation, and therefore, African Portfolio was not negligent in selecting them. He indicated that the company will likely seek dismissal of the lawsuit or invoke an arbitration clause included in the Manders' trip agreement.
In a formal statement, African Portfolio expressed their condolences to the Manders family and stated that Chiawa Safaris was responsible for the walking safari. They claim that an experienced guide, a ranger, and an armed National Park scout accompanied the guests. African Portfolio also stated that Chiawa Safaris reported implementing safety measures and issuing "repeated warnings" to guests to return to the safety of their vehicle “during the incident.” When pressed for clarification on whether the Manders were specifically warned about the hippopotamus before the attack, African Portfolio only reiterated the accuracy of their statement. Gould declined further comment on the specifics of the incident.
The lawsuit, which does not name Chiawa Safaris as a defendant, highlights the inherent dangers of African safaris due to the unpredictable nature of wild animals. It argues that African Portfolio, by vetting and overseeing the tour guides, assumed responsibility for their competence and training. The suit alleges that the company “encouraged and/or permitted” the Manders to be exposed to a “highly dangerous encounter” with a hippopotamus, failed to provide safe conditions, and failed to adequately screen, supervise, and train the tour guides.
Hippos are the second-largest land mammals and are known for their territorial and aggressive behavior. They are estimated to be responsible for hundreds of human deaths annually in Africa.
The lawsuit details the profound emotional distress suffered by both Lisa Manders before her death and Craig Manders, who witnessed the attack. Mr. Manders is seeking damages for the loss of his wife and the severe emotional and psychological trauma he has endured. Slager emphasized, "He's suing for the loss of his wife and its impact on his life, and also for the unimaginable trauma of witnessing her horrific death."
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