Attorney Rodney Gould Responds to Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Tour Operator African Portfolio

A New Jersey man whose wife was killed in a horrific hippopotamus attack last year during a safari in Africa is suing the U.S. company that arranged the trip. The lawsuit was filed Feb. 5 in Stamford, Connecticut against African Portfolio, a safari tour company based in Greenwich, Connecticut. 

The lawsuit has received widespread media attention; African Portfolio has denied the lawsuit’s allegations.

The company’s lawyer, Rodney E. Gould of Smith Duggan Cornell & Gollub LLP in Lincoln, Massachusetts, said African Portfolio was not negligent or reckless in connection with Lisa Manders’ tragic death.  He said African Portfolio only arranged the couple’s lodging but the lodge, Chiawa Safaris in Zambia, provided safari arrangements, including the tour guides and a National Park escort.

“It’s a horrible tragedy when somebody goes on one of these trips and is injured or killed. It’s awful,” Gould said. “I think it’s important to understand what African Portfolio’s role in this is. It’s a tour operator. It arranges trips. It puts together the pieces.”

He added, “My client didn’t conduct the safari. It arranged it. It booked all the components.”

Gould also said the company was not negligent in vetting Chiawa Safaris, because it has an excellent reputation.

In a statement, African Portfolio said Chiawa arranged the safari, and guests were accompanied by an experienced and highly trained guide, as well as an armed National Park official. 

The company said Chiawa told authorities that safety measures were implemented before the attack and “repeated warnings” were issued to guests to return to the safety of the vehicle “during the incident.”

"If there was negligence here, it really is the lodge and the safari people," Gould said. "If they shouldn't have let the people out of the van at this point, that's the lodge’s issue. If they should've let people in earlier than they did, that too is the lodge’s issue." 

African Portfolio also said its founder flew to Zambia immediately after the attack and joined Chiawa’s owner in ensuring that “everything possible was being done to support the family and all those involved. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family, and everyone else involved in this tragic incident.”

Upon booking, people sign a release stating African Portfolio is not responsible for third-party negligence, Gould added.

Gould said African Portfolio will either ask a judge to dismiss the lawsuit or request that the matter go to arbitration, which was a condition of an agreement that participants signed for the trip.

Gould also added that Lisa Manders' death is the only tragedy that has occurred since the company's founding 30 years ago.

The lawsuit does not include Chiawa as a party defendant.