Tourist crushed to death by rampaging 3,000lb hippo that grabbed her in its huge jaws after charging safari tour group

THE husband of a woman who was brutally mauled to death by a hippo in front of him on an African safari is suing the US tour operator for failing to keep the couple safe. Lisa Manders, 70, tragically died after suffering ‘catastrophic injuries’ last year in Zambia on an anniversary trip with her husband Craig, according to the lawsuit he filed against African Portfolio, the Connecticut-based safari company.

Craig said: “Had we understood the dangers posed by the hippopotamus, we never would have agreed to be in such close contact while on foot. “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 couple left America on May 31, 2024, for a ten-day dream safari in Zambia. They had been there five days when they headed out for a guided ‘bush walk’.

Lisa was standing by a river when a partially submerged hippo suddenly and without warning charged from the water towards her. Lisa tried to flee but was unable to escape, and the hippo violently attacked her, “grabbing her by the mouth, lifting her off the ground, shaking her entire body, and crushing her head and body with its bite,” while her husband watched in horror. The guides, according to the lawsuit, “knew or should have known that the close presence of the wild hippopotamus to participants in the Bush Walk posed an immediate and extreme danger.”.

But the guides, including at least one armed with a rifle, walked away without helping the couple, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit further claimed that guests were ‘negligently encouraged’ to approach the water and stand on the bank. African Portfolio denied the allegations of negligence and said it was only responsible for arranging the couple’s lodging, and the owners of the lodging, Chiawa Safaris in Zambia, provided the tour guides.

African Portfolio said the guests were accompanied by an experienced and highly trained guide, a ranger and an armed National Park scout. It added that Chiawa told authorities that “repeated warnings” were issued to the guests to return to the vehicle during the incident. The safari company offered its condolences to Craig’s family: “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family, and everyone else involved in this tragic incident.”.

The mother-of-three worked in the finance industry for more than 40 years and loved cooking, travelling, visiting New York and spending times with her friends and family. Craig said: “Lisa was the best mother and wife anyone could ever hope for. “Her violent death is a devastating loss not only for our family, but for our community.". Craig suffered severe emotional and psychological injuries due to the incident, making it difficult for him to cope with daily routines.

Hippos are one of the world’s most dangerous land animals, killing around 500 people each year. A British tourist was attacked by a hippo in Zambia back in September, after the animal flipped over his canoe and grabbed him. By Lydia Doye. HIPPOS are thought to be the deadliest mammals on earth. They kill more 500 people every year, which is an average of 3 people every two days. At up to 2,750kg hippos can crush a human to death.