“Daphne was a national treasure and a conservation icon. Her legacy is immeasurable and her passing will reverberate far and wide because the difference she has made for conservation in Kenya is unparalleled.”– Angela Sheldrick, Daphne Sheldrick’s Daughter and CEO of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
In her 83 years with us, Daphne touched countless lives — from generations of elephants who are thriving today through her trailblazing conservation work, to people all over the world who drew inspiration from her. She is testament to the difference that a single person can make, and her legacy lives on as we continue to protect and preserve wildlife in her memory.
Below, we invite you to share your own story of how Daphne touched your life.
Wilhelm Kaiser
Posted 14 April 2018
This is to extend my condolences to the family of Dame Daphne Sheldrick and to the entire team at DSWT.
A great woman conservationist and leader has gone from us all! May you find ways to successfully continue the wonderful work of Dame Daphne Sheldrick. God bless you all.
Andrea Cameron
Posted 14 April 2018
What an inspiration she lead the way in showing us all to always try harder for wildlife and our planet.
Jill Tempio
Posted 14 April 2018
My heart goes out to the DSWT family. I have never had the opportunity to meet Dame Daphne Sheldrick but she has been a big influence in my life. Every chance I get I make people aware of her wonderful work . Though I live halfway around the world her voice is heard. Sincerely Sorry for your loss. Jill Tempio
Miss C M Page
Posted 14 April 2018
Truly a leader for animal rights. An inspiration. She will never be forgotten.
Zoe Cox-Putker
Posted 14 April 2018
Dame Daphne is my hero it was so saddening to hear of her passing. We share the same love and curiosity for elephants and I am awed by her dedication to wildlife and those in need. Her achievements are numerous and exceptional and she has massively impacted the world in her struggle and success in protecting orphaned animals. I wish you all the strength in the coming months with the comfort of knowing that Dame Daphne is one in a billion and we are all so proud of her. May she rest in peace
Denise Taylor
Posted 14 April 2018
Dame Daphne Sheldrick has been a total inspiration to me. I have so much admiration for her life’s passion and conservation and through the DSWT I understand and support elephant conservation on a level I wouldn’t have previously guessed. My deepest condolences to her family for the loss of such a great lady.
Fiona Hawkins
Posted 14 April 2018
So sad to hear of Dame Daphne’s passing.Kenya has lost the most passionate advocate for all wildlife. Thank goodness through your hard work her legacy will live on to help future generations of animals. Our thoughts are with you at this saddest of times.
Lynn Maginnis
Posted 14 April 2018
Such a remarkable compassionate woman. Daphne’s life and legacy for elephants and wildlife are so inspiring and far-reaching. It’s been a privilege for my daughter and I to support her work in some small way by sponsoring Laragai and Qwanza. Thank You Thank You. And Thank You to Angela and the Sheldrick family for continuing this noble work.
Valerie Humphrey
Posted 14 April 2018
In gratitude for the life of Dame Daphne Sheldrick who has done such wonderful work for elephants saving so many lives and sparing so much suffering. She has left a great legacy in so many generations of elephants who would have been lost without her pioneering work. Dame Daphne will never be remembered with great affection.
Jeannette Cavanagh
Posted 14 April 2018
This comes with my sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to Dame Daphne’s family and to all the staff at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. My heart goes out to you for the family I think losing a Mother and a Grandmother is one of the hardest things as she is someone who has been in your life all your life. And to lose someone as inspirational as Dame Daphne must make this even more painful.
What an absolutely amazing and awe inspiring person she ahs been and now it is up to each and everyone of us to all do what we can to ensure that her wonderful work continues as she would wish. Hamba Gahle Dame Sheldrick you will be so missed.
Lynn Punnett
Posted 14 April 2018
Very sorry to hear the passing of Daphne Sheldrick. Her creation to support the elephants is amazing. What I like most about it is that it’s very personal and real. I hope this foundation continues to be the success it is even though Daphne is no longer that to lead. My sincere condolences Lynn Punnett animal lover
Alan James Cobb
Posted 14 April 2018
Whilst a very sad occasion I am honoured and privileged to make this donation for a very special person.
Leslie Hood
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela: It is hard to believe that there is now a world without your beautiful Mother in it. She was a treasure. It must have been a tremendous comfort to her at the end, knowing that you would take on her mission. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Reute Butler
Posted 14 April 2018
My heartfelt condolences to you personally, and to all at the DSWT. I can barely imagine the grief you feel. My mother, Jorie Butler Kent, still with us and we are very close-I can’t imagine. She is and always will be an inspiration to me, as founder of Friends of Conservation (1982), Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, and co-developer of Abercrombie & Kent with her business partner Geoff. I feel for you and put you all in my prayers.
Jan Hollerbach
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, I was just demolished to hear of the passing of your mother. From the time I read her book many years ago, she took a very special place in my heart. I can only imagine how your family must feel! I certainly hope there is a heaven where your mom can be re-united with your father. What a blessing to have had such a wonderful relationship! And, of course, they would be surrounded by elephants, and rhinos, and all manner of wildlife who could finally all sit down at the Table of the Lord together in love and peace. I wish you all the best, even though it is probably challenging at this time to put one foot in front of the other. I hope one day to visit you; it is a longing I have had for many years. In the meantime, there will be a donation coming in memory of your mother, a woman who the world will long remember for her love, courage, and steadfastness in helping so many of God’s creatures.
Lynda Green
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, I am so sad and devastated over Daphne’s passing. I am sorry for your loss and all the elephants she saved and cared for. For me, Daphne was a mentor. Over the years, she took the time to write me long e mails. Our mutual love for manatees and elephants and all living things brought me very close to her. I really thought she would make it through this horrible breast cancer. Her legacy says it all, doesn’t it? She is more than a legend in so many ways, and for me as a small child, she was always an inspiration. My first trip to Africa was when there was no eco tourism. I was with my parents and that was the first time I heard of Daphne. I was determined to meet her. Even though I will never meet her in person, please know that she has been my inspiration all of my life and her dedication to saving animals played a huge part in what I do now with Manatees and Dolphins. Her legacy was not just with elephants but her huge presence inspired a small person like myself to continue in my own way, the same philosophy and caring for animals. She will always be in my heart, if I can get through these tears. I am so happy you are you and will continue your amazing work with elephants.
Parul Gandhi
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, The world has become much poorer with the loss of your wonderful mother, a true matriarch and inspiration for so many people across the world. I have keenly followed your family story since years and felt the need to contribute to the cause that your mother lived for and loved so dearly. Living in India, also known for her elephants, I was fortunate to foster one of your elephants last year as a Christmas present to myself. I offer you my sincere condolences on the irreparable loss of your mother. I hope that I will be able to visit the orphanage in my lifetime and view the fabulous work done by her. Until then she will be in my prayers with the conviction that she is in a better place.
Shirley Henen
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela & Family, DSWT, keepers and all involved in the DSWT my sincere condolences for the loss of your mother, Dame Daphne Sheldrick, an Icon for all. I learnt of the incredible work your mom started, which became a legacy for all, by finding her books and videos. From then on I became an instant follower of her awesome work. I know that you, Angela and family will carry on her legacy for these beautiful animals, and in that respect my heart will rest easy. Again at this difficult time for you all, I am sorry for your loss.
Ariane Trigo
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, It is with such sadness that I learned of your mother’s passing. She was an extraordinary woman, a visionary and a true hero of wildlife conservation. All our thoughts are with you, your family, and all the dedicated people working for the DSWT. I will forever be grateful that I had the privilege of meeting her and spending some time with her on her beautiful veranda. Those who admired her and supported her work will take some comfort in knowing that her legacy will live on in all the animals that she saved, in the baby elephants that would not have been born without her and in all the people around the world that she inspired to fight for the conservation of wildlife in Africa and beyond
The Waites (Lucas, Carson, Shelley and Mike)
Posted 14 April 2018
Please accept our condolences on the passing of Dr. Daphne Sheldrick. We are truly moved by her work and we have been fortunate enough to have visited your nursery on two occasions, once when my husband and I had no children, then again in August 2017, with our two boys, Lucas and Carson. We had the pleasure of meeting out Elephant Musiara and watch our children see the wonder of such beautiful animals. Please know that Dr. Sheldrick has had a profound effect on our lives. Our visit to Kenya has only solidified our belief in our own personal conservation efforts and we are teaching our children the importance of being global citizens. We thank Dr. Sheldrick for all her efforts. She has made us better people and I thank her for this. Thank you for your informative emails on the elephants and our lovely Musiara and we look forward to returning to Kenya to visit you all again. Please pass on our condolences to Daphne and David’s family. They should be so proud of their parents.