New Jersey Man Sues Safari Company After Wife's Fatal Hippo Attack in Zambia

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A New Jersey man has filed a lawsuit against a safari tour company following the death of his wife during a hippo attack in Zambia. Craig Manders alleges that African Portfolio, based in Greenwich, Connecticut, failed to ensure adequate safety measures were in place and did not properly supervise the tour guides, according to the lawsuit filed on February 5 in Stamford, Connecticut.

The tragic incident occurred in June 2024, when 70-year-old Lisa Manders was fatally injured by a charging hippopotamus while on a guided walk with her husband. Reports indicate that the tour guides abandoned the couple during the attack, which left Craig Manders traumatized. His attorney, Paul Slager, asserts that basic safety standards were not followed, leading to devastating consequences.

African Portfolio denies the allegations, asserting it is not liable for the incident as it only arranged the couple's trip, while the owners of Chiawa Safaris provided the tour guides. The company has mentioned that necessary safety precautions were communicated to guests during the incident, as per their stated procedures.

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