Two Dead in Tragic Shooting Involving Police Officer's Son

A New Jersey man has filed a lawsuit against African Portfolio, the Connecticut-based safari operator, following the death of his wife, Lisa Manders, during a trip to Zambia. According to the lawsuit, which was filed in Stamford Superior Court, Lisa Manders was killed by a hippopotamus while on a guided bush walk on June 5, 2024. Craig Manders claims the guides left the group without adequate protection near the riverbank where the territorial animal was resting, exposing them to severe danger.
The couple had embarked on a 10-day safari, and the incident occurred just five days in. Craig Manders alleges that the tour guides should have foreseen the risks associated with interacting with such a dangerous animal, stating, “The idea that we were unwittingly exposed to such an extreme danger is astonishing.” Lisa Manders suffered catastrophic injuries from the attack and died shortly after.
African Portfolio's attorney described the tragic event as unusual and emphasized that the company cannot be held accountable for unforeseen wildlife behavior during tours. The Zambian Minister of Tourism expressed condolences, stating investigations into the incident are underway.