“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.
Alex Lasker
Posted 14 April 2018
I just learned of Dame Sheldrick’s passing and I am deeply saddened. I just finished a novel I had been writing for the last several years, THE MEMORY OF AN ELEPHANT, that I dearly wanted her to read. It would have meant a lot to her, since one of the protagonists was based loosely on her. Warm wishes, and once again, please accept my sincere condolences.
Alexandra George
Posted 14 April 2018
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you have done to save, nurse and revive Africa’s elephants and other wondrous creatures of the Kenyan landscape. We who share your passion for elephants and other endangered creatures of East Africa will always remember your wonderful work. We will continue supporting the Sheldrick Trust as your daughters continue in your footsteps.
Caroline and Ronnie Wilkie
Posted 14 April 2018
After several visits to the Trust in previous years, we missed seeing Daphne this September as she had just gone into hospital. We have extremely fond memories of seeing Daphne in London and also on one of our many visits when she was mixing milk for the orphans and she very kindly asked Edwin to take us to see them. It is wonderful too, that ‘Love, Life and Elephants’ was completed so that her legacy can be appreciated by many more people, who may not have the opportunity to visit Africa as we have been so fortunate to do. I am tearful writing this as my husband and I will miss her greatly as it was the greatest comfort knowing that for many, many years she was fighting for the elephants’ cause. We are most thankful that her amazing legacy will continue.
Ulf
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, Only by reading the Sunday Nation did I learn that your Mother has left us. What a great loss for you all, the orphanage, all of us and Kenya. Your Mother was not only brave, determined and tough, she was also such a charming and intelligent lady. May she rest in peace, knowing that you will carry on the splendid job you are already doing.
Caroline Rowe
Posted 14 April 2018
What an inspiration she is to all people – to dedicate her life to the protection of wild animals.
Helen Burling
Posted 14 April 2018
In memory of a truly remarkable woman whose intelligence determination and passion for wildlife made a real impact. Long may her valuable work at the orphanage and beyond be continued by her loving capable family and experienced team.
Melanie Isbister
Posted 14 April 2018
I am so very sorry to hear of this tragic loss for Dame Sheldrick’s family including of course the elephants and other wildlife for whom she cared Kenya and really the entire planet given Dame Sheldrick’s accomplishments and what she stood for. While I have met Dame Sheldrick both in Canada and in Kenya my last Royal African safari was in 2000 and I was not aware of the long struggle with cancer. How wonderful that Angela is able to carry on the legacy. I consider myself lucky to be able to enjoy some of Angela’s paintings which hang on the walls in my home.
With very best wishes , Melanie Isbister
Elisabeth Kunz
Posted 14 April 2018
I am so sorry for your loss I still dont understand that she had to go so soon and I always thought or hoped that she will get better. I am with you and I tell you I never ever will forget her. Love Elisabeth
Elke Riesterer
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, Once more I want to send you besides a FB post my deepest condolences. What a loss! We are never fully prepared to that unknown date of a very sad day. Yet one day we undoubtedly have to say good bye to our parents and allow needed grieving to take its course. My heart is with you and your family, as well as the beautiful orphanage project. Your mom had a tremendous impact on my life. She stood for what my heart and soul pulsed for. I cherish all the letters she wrote me through the 20 year of a more or less distant friendship. When I learned that Daphne had died I looked at the big envelope on my desk addressed to her with instant tears watering my eyes. My heart ached. It seems like a coincidence that I was somehow tuned into your mom not knowing that sad news came just a day later. The envelope I decided is traveling your way nevertheless as you then can read the context in her spirit as a daughter. Angela I see you as a beautiful steward of your mom’s legacy – you yourself are greatly gifted to carry on. Thank you for everything you have done and do for the little baby elephants, rhinos and others from the animal kingdom.
Harvey Croze
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angelica, Cristina and I wish to add our condolences to those of what must be a vast host of admirers and well-wishers from around the world. Daphne and David were part of my early inspiration when starting my journey into elephant research and conservation, for they provided such a strong grounding of common sense and dedication to conservation. In the late 1960s when we Serengeti-ites would fly over to Tsavo to help out in an elephant count, or when David and his team would come over to our side of the Rift for a similar exercise, it was clear that in the perennial tension between wise-arse boffins and field-tested wardens, your folks took a cool look at the evidence and then did what they felt was right. Their defence of eles in the days when a certain school of scientists wanted to shoot them to play God and ‘protect the habitat’ was brave indeed, given the predilections of the majority of the wardens. Time and research has proven the Sheldricks’ resistance to be wise and well-founded. Although I’m sure there are some who would wish to fault Daphne for putting too much effort and resources into saving ‘just a few’ animals when there are so many succumbing to the ivory trade and habitat alienation, they are wrong. As we (hopefully) evolve away above and beyond an atavistic posture of ‘dominion over animals’, and an ecologically- and morally-flawed demand for sustainable utilisation of wildlife, we need strong moral voices, like that of Daphne, to shout out and do something about the cruelty and immorality of our treatment of nature. I know that you are carrying on the fine work, and if there’s anything we can do to help, please just ask.
Anders Dudley
Posted 14 April 2018
I just wanted express my sincere and heartfelt sympathy for the loss of Daphne Sheldrick. She was an extraordinary person and great spokesperson for wildlife preservation. John Muir was a legend back in the day but to be able to witness a living legend in Daphne Sheldrick during my lifetime has been a true blessing. I know her legacy will live on – not only with her daughters but with the rest of the elephant loving world, like myself.
Anna Lubienska
Posted 14 April 2018
Dearest Angela and family. What a shock and loss, your mother was the most devoted, stoic and passionate conservationist and friend to many a wild animal! I was very privileged to have met her a couple of times in London at The National Geographic Society and with my sister Rula Lenska at her home in Nairobi year before last when we visited the orphanage having had an amazing 60th Birthday treat to Kenya, Mombasa up county to Saruni and finally to visit your fabulous mother. I can only imagine how proud she is of you continuing her work,? I sincerely hope there will be a memorial service in london so we can pay our respects and say good bye! Sending you strength and wonderful memories
Mary Lou Loesch
Posted 14 April 2018
It is with sincere sympathy, that I express my condolences. She was a saint on earth before she ever got to heaven. She will be sorely missed by family, friends, staff, workers and the elephants.
Claire Rittenhouse
Posted 14 April 2018
Years ago I read her book and made it a goal to visit the orphanage I was able to visit 5 years ago. What a wonderful legacy she has left. The planet Africa and all of her orphans are left in a better place because of her amazing life.
Michael Winter
Posted 14 April 2018
I’ve just heard the sad news yesterday, since I was on a seminar tour and didn’t have the time to check my messages or anything. I wish to send you, Angela and the whole Sheldrick family my deepest condolences. A very sad loss in deed, of a woman who did so much for the animals and therefore for many people as well! Clearly a role model for nature protection, and I feel very honored to being one of the people to having the chance meeting her in person and being able to be a small part of what she lived for. I have a seminar in a few hours where I will honor Daphne by talking about her great pioneer work in the field of nature conservation and I am happy to hear and very sure that you will cherish her memory and keep up the good work in her name.
Nancy Sinatra
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Sheldrick family. I was so saddened to hear of the loss of Daphne Sheldrick who was an inspiration to all of us who love and respect animals all over the world. Her tireless dedication and devotion were a wonderful example for the rest of us. While I did not know her personally her compassionate work showed her great heart and that is something with which we all can identify. May Heaven bless her on her journey to the stars. I hope she meets my little foster baby Kinango so they can be together again. I wish all the best to Angela as she takes over the huge responsibility of the Sheldrick Community. My love and condolences to all …
Maggie Williams
Posted 14 April 2018
Sometimes there are angels on this Earth that we can see not only them in human form but also see their acts to make the world a better place. Your mom was one of the angels I have just described. It is heartwarming to see that angels truly do exist…..
Damien
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, I am very sad to know Mrs Daphne SHELDRICK is dead. I associate myself with your pain. She was a great person but your spirit will be there for ever. Her fight to help orphan elephants will continue thanks the team. Her love and her kindness for elephants, wonderful animals that deserve respect and admiration, allowed to advance for their protection. Today I say to you I will continue to help you in your noble fight. Rest in peace
Simon & Mandy Martyn
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear All at DSWT, Further to my recent telephone discussion with DSWT in the UK following receipt of the Tribute forwarded to us, this is just to record our deep sadness at the passing of dearest Daphne – whom we have looked upon as both a good friend and wildlife conservation Icon since we first met her nearly 40 years ago. She was the ultimate ‘Real Deal’ in dedicated and selfless conservation, and the results she has achieved truly speak for themselves. Our thoughts are with you all, and we would especially ask to be remembered to Jill, whom we last saw in Bath when Daphne came over to launch her last book about 5? years ago, and we were able to talk to them both. Also all your dedicated and delightful Kenyan staff, most of whom we have met over the years in Nairobi and down in Tsavo (both Voi and Ithumba). Rest assured we will always maintain our support for the Trust…meanwhile take care of yourselves and keep up the great work you all do.
Colin Dawson
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela and Rob, I am sorry for not writing to you sooner, I have been away from Hong Kong and am only now collecting my thoughts about what has happened since I left a couple of weeks ago. I was so sorry to hear that Daphne had died. As I am sure countless people have reiterated she was an absolute legend in the word of wildlife and, along with George Adamson, was the inspiration behind my being involved elephants and the wider wildlife world in the way I am. She leaves a legacy impossible to surpass and her work will live on with many generations to come. Unlike some organisations who do such important work its heartening to know that the DSWT has a strong future ahead of it with good planning and organisation in place to continue the important work being done. As you know there are a few discussions we need to have about things though please do know that we remain extremely strong supporters of the DSWT and only last week we were in discussion with two groups and one individual who are keen to give evenings in aid of The Elephant Foundation, including the important work you do. I will let you have more details once these have been firmed up. Our thoughts go to you both and all those working for yourselves, there is now a huge gap in the world of wildlife and with your strong dedication this will slowly close and things will resume. I look forward to strengthening our relationships further with the DSWT and will look forward to talking soon