“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.
Marion Kaplan
Posted 14 April 2018
To Angela, to all the family, to all the men and women who worked with the elephants and other animals, I offer my deepest sympathies. I would also like to add my voice to those of the countless people for whom Daphne Sheldrick was one of the most humane, constructive and truly formidable women in the whole field of conservation. As Angela has observed, her mother’s work will surely live on. As one who also remembers the skills and courtesy of her intrepid father, this is a profoundly sad moment. My condolences to the ‘orphans’, and their human family
jenny singleton
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela family and everyone at the DSWT. I was so very sorry to hear the sad news of Dame Daphnne’s passing. A truly remarkable lady.
Sending sincere condolences from the UK.
Genevieve L Duncan
Posted 14 April 2018
I visited the Trust last September 2017 and was awed at the scene of such a huge population of orphaned elephants the giraffe and the rhino and all being run so efficiently by your very attentive staff! Dame Daphne Sheldrick accomplished so much the Trust. I’m sure she will be truly missed!
Judy Daddario
Posted 14 April 2018
Thank goodness for people like Dame Daphne in the world….I’m so glad her work is being carried on through your family. You are all truly inspiring…. I wish I lived closer to you so I could come and help……
Glenda Bien
Posted 14 April 2018
Dr Dame Daphne Sheldrick. God Bless you your Family for everything you have done for Wildlife in Africa and advocate examples for the rest of the World to follow. I am 1 year new to your website. I have learned so much about elephants wild life. I love elephants 128024! They are so special. Thanks to all who work for DSWT.. I hope to visit someday. Love and thanks to all. God Bless. You are all angels 1008465039
Diana Rosenal
Posted 14 April 2018
I am very sorry for your loss of Dame Daphne Sheldrick. Such a unique person and what a great legacy she leaves. My heart breaks for the plight of beautiful elephants and Dame Daphne Sheldrick found ways to help these lovely animals. Heaven’s arms are surely open.
Nancy de Conciliis
Posted 14 April 2018
I send my sincere condolences for the death of dame Daphne Sheldrick which I read about today in the New York Times. We have too few of these wonderful visionaries for the good of animals in the world ! I will continue to support the work you do and hope the transition is smooth and your work continues without incident.
Linda Burr
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela. I hope you don’t mind me calling you Angela. First I am so sorry to hear of the sad news about your dear Mother Daphne Sheldrick. I cannot express how sorry I am to hear the news. She truly was a remarkable lady. I have admired her so much and what a legacy you must be so proud. I first adopted Malaika all those years ago and now adopt five elephants. I was about 28 when I became acquainted with the trust and loved the work you do. I have followed the trust’s work ever since I am 65 now. I admired and respected your Mother and the DSWT and will continue to support the trust as much as I can. I hope you find comfort knowing so many people loved and respected your Mother and I thank you for letting me know. I read her book and found it one of the best books I have read.
Don Surphlis
Posted 14 April 2018
My wife and I were saddened to hear the news of your mother’s passing. While we never met, Daphne’s passion for the trust and the wildlife you nobly protect was infectious. She was obviously a strong women of integrity whose contribution to conservation will be missed. It is comforting to hear the Trust will move forward from the foundation Daphne built. The importance of your work increases every day and unfortunately there is still much to be done. Please rest assured the efforts of DSWT are greatly appreciated by concerned naturalists far beyond Kenya’s borders.
Julie Perkins
Posted 14 April 2018
So sorry to hear the sad news of Dame Daphne’s passing. I read her autobiography recently, and found it truly inspiring. I have been passionate about elephants all my life and am sure that her great work will continue. With best wishes to her family
Robert Saunders
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, My wife and I were very sad to learn of your mother’s passing and would like to extend to you our personal condolences. She will be very much missed. We met Daphne on our first safari in Kenya in 1989 when she was invited to join our WWF group by our guide Allan Earnshaw of Ker & Downey. We returned to Kenya in 1991 and while in Nairobi visited her nursery. I was so impressed with her work with the orphaned elephants that I became a donor immediately and have contributed to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust every year since. I will continue to do so each year as it is such an important project which should be continued in Daphne’s memory and the on-going welfare of the orphans. Over the last 25 years we have usually tried to visit the Nursery while in Nairobi and enjoyed catching up with Daphne. I think we may have met you once while staying at Borana some years ago. You may have met our son Howard has lived in Kenya for the last 20 years. He is a professional safari guide and is a partner and director of Ker & Downey Safaris Limited. This, of course, is one of the reasons we visit Kenya so often. He is married with two children. In August last year we spent a wonderful three days at Ithumba, where we enjoyed a very up-close and personal encounter with elephants of all ages. Even a large herd of wild bulls came in for the fresh water which was exciting.
J.C. Zhang
Posted 14 April 2018
Hi THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST, I saw the website and other news before, I feel so sad about what happened to the founder….. She is an hero in the wildlife world. Now I am working with WWF and TRAFFIC Beijing, I can see how bad the wildlife trade in East Asia and East South Asia, especially ivory trade. I am going to organize some events in Beijing center personally, Iike flea markets, films of wildlife showing, some workshops. My team will share the advertising about wild animals protection to any customers who comes to our event, but I also want to help someone like your team who can save the lives directly. So I want to invite you to be our charity item. Like if I do some simple events or workshop, the money we make we will use it to support your team. Thanks for your awesome work for those lovely lives, the elephant and other animals should live in a better world.
Gail Moore
Posted 14 April 2018
I was very sorry to hear of death of your dear Mother, Daphne. It is a very big one to lose one’s Mum
Dogra family
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, Our heartfelt condolences to you and all the Daphne Sheldrick family. It’s heartbreaking news and she will be truly missed. She was a matriarch of her reserve. She is an icon, symbolizing conservation, symbolizing determination to keep a magnificent animal alive and most of all she was a symbol of the beautiful wildlife of Africa. She has done so much for the beautiful elephants. Her legacy lives through you and the rest of the Daphne Sheldrick family. She lives in every little elephant you rescue. Thank you for all the amazing work you do. Sending you all love at this difficult time. God bless you all.
Ponky and Margie
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, We have just heard of Daphne’s passing. Our condolences and love to you and the family. Meeting Daphne will always remain as one of the most important happenings in my life. She was such a wonderful soul and her love for nature will always be remembered
Alan Binks
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela. Nothing I say can help you get over your present sorrow, we all feel that, especially those of us who have been around rather a long while and remember her, but perhaps this letter from a good client and very good friend will convey something of what Daphne meant to all of us. Keep up the good work.
Dee Dee Cowan
Posted 14 April 2018
I have been an ardent admirer of Daphnes for many many years. Her tireless work her beautiful compassion and respect for wildlife and her quest to save our majestic elephants had always inspired me and left me in awe. She was surely one of the most magnificent people to have graced this planet. She will be sorely missed but thankfully raised wonderful children who will carry on her legacy. I am very sorry for your loss. The worlds loss.
Ian ,Wendy and Colin Campbell.
Posted 14 April 2018
We are very sad to learn of Daphne’s passing. Please could you pass on our sincere condolences ( on behalf of myself, my wife Wendy and our son Colin ) to Angela and family. Daphne was truely one of those extraordinary caring people who give so much of themselves and make such a positive contribution to life making the world a better place.Daphne will without doubt be sorely missed. We wish Angela and family well in carrying on with Daphne’s wonderful work.
Barbara Langley
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, I opened up my New York Times this morning and discovered the article about your wonderful mother. I am so sorry to hear of your loss, and just felt the need to reach out to you to send my condolences. I know you are very proud of her – what an incredible mark she has made in caring for and defending wildlife. I would love to have met her, and I certainly do hope to visit some day. Thinking of you. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Joanna Reed
Posted 14 April 2018
So sorry to hear about your mum, she was an inspiration with all the hard work and love she gave to helping elephants. x