“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.
Carrie Seidl
Posted 12 May 2018
Thank you for your hard work, grace and love. You were a role model, and my heart goes out to all (humans and elephants) in your family who must be missing you terribly.
Sheila Kraus
Posted 12 May 2018
GOD GAVE US DAME DAPHNE TO TEACH US ALL HOW IMPORTANT ELEPHANTS ARE TO OUR WORLD
SHE LEARNED SO MUCH BY BEING KIND AND LIVING TO THE BABIES! IT WAS BY GOD AND HER MILK DESIGN THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO TEACH OTHERS AROUND THE WORLD HOW TO CARE FOR ORPHAN BABIES! SHE WENT ON FURTHER TO FIGHT EVEN MORE TO SAVE INJURED ELEPHANTS AND RESCUE THE ELEPHANTS IN TROUBLE IN KENYA!
DAPHNES LEGACY WAS BLESSED TEACHING FROM GOD TO ALL OF US TO SEE AND LEARN SO MUCH ABOUT HIS LARGEST CREATURES! THANK YOU DEAR DAPHNE SHELDRICK. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU❤️🙏😍
Huguette Bodmer
Posted 12 May 2018
Dear Dame Daphne
Thank you so much for what you did for all the elephants. I chose 7 over the years (Emily, Lualeni, Suguta, Kithaka, Barsilinga, Ndotto and Kuishi) to foster and it’s so great to read how they are doing. And that’s all happening because of you!
Lots of Love where ever you are! RIP!
Huguette
Vijay Antharam
Posted 12 May 2018
Sad and heartbroken. The compass is gone and things will not be the same. I truly admired her and still very sad and heartbroken
Judith White
Posted 12 May 2018
What a extraordinary life she had and what life she gave to so many other humans and wildlife. It seemed to be all about family… her and David’s family, the family of keepers and of course the family of orphaned elephants. That is what has always drawn me to elephants, is their undying sense of family. We humans can learn so much from these beautiful giants. Daphne certainly dedicated her life to learning and healing these magnificent treasures of the wild. Thankyou for sharing your family and life with us Daphne so that we could live through your experiences and have a small sense of the wonder and beauty that is in this world.
Jo Barlow
Posted 12 May 2018
I am heartbroken at the loss of this wonderful, inspirational lady. She has done so much for the elephants and the wildlife of Kenya. But her legacy lives on in all the elephants she has saved, all the elephants that will be saved and all the elephants who will be born in the wild and be safe.
I hope she was greeted in heaven by all the mothers of the babies she has saved.
The world has lost one of its greatest people.
RIP lovely lady xxx
Libby Prins
Posted 12 May 2018
It was an honour for me to have met Dame Daphne Sheldrick in 2016 while planning and during our filming for BBC Elephant Family and Me.
David and Daphne Sheldrick were so pivotal in helping to understand the role elephants play in their ecosystem.
Daphne’s compassion, love, and true understanding for another species is an inspiration, and brings hope for the future of elephants – let alone the legacy of everything else that she fought for, and the breadth of the work that DSWT continue to do.
My sincere condolences to all of her family – both human and ele, and probably many other animal friends too.
Suzy Breck
Posted 12 May 2018
My heartfelt condolences to you all. Dame Daphne was my hero ever since my first adopted elephant Olmeg and she will always be my hero
Marguerite Perkins Garrick
Posted 12 May 2018
Dear family and friends of Dame Daphne,
I was so sorry to learn of her passing, and continue to mourn her as a woman who’s great love for animals led her to become such a vital force for conservation.
I had the great pleasure to meet Dame Daphne a couple of times over the years when I was in Kenya with my parents, Carol and Marlin Perkins. She was extremely gracious and inspiring, and had an infectious sense of humor.
My thoughts are with you all during this hard period. Even when you know it’s coming, it’s no less devastating when it suddenly does.
Thank you all so much for the vital work you do every day. She must have been so proud of you.
I’ll be back next summer to watch the babies run home for their bottles. Can’t wait,
Marguerite P Garrick
Sally Roberts
Posted 12 May 2018
She was such an incredible inspiration to me. So much love and devotion to wildlife and I loved reading her book. Africa is on my bucket list! RIP elephant hero!
Sibbi Pennington
Posted 12 May 2018
Your openness is their immortality.
You persevered ever a perilous season mindful of your attachment.
Ever mindful not to let them pass away alone.
Pulsating,perpetual heart
Thank you.x
Annette Johnson
Posted 12 May 2018
Here’s to Dame Daphne, a true inspiration to animal conservation.
Selfless acts of love for all of the wildlife in this world!
A truly tenacious woman with a purpose to care for those in need.
Rest in peace dear lady and let your work carry on through your family and others and thank you ❤
Sue Whitmore
Posted 12 May 2018
I have visited the Nursery Orphanage twice and onthe last occasion was fortunate to meet Dame Daphne herself. I had just bought her book which she signed for me and found myself lost for words apart from banalities! Coming face to face with her, there was so much I wanted to say, so many superlatives about her lifelong work and commitment, what a privilege it was to meet her….. but all I could say then was ‘Thank you for signing my book and what a wonderful place the Orphange is’. Hardly appropriate.
So I need to pay my belated tribute here. I have re-read An African Love Story since Dame Daphne’s death and it struck me that it wasn’t just her tireless work and love for all wild animal conservation and protection that was quite outstanding but it was also her ability to inspire in others the same level of love and commitment. That for me is her wonderful legacy. She hasn’t simply rescued elephants, and other orphans, but has taken us all by the hand and shown us the way it has to be, now and forever. Even if we, in the years to come forget what we owe her, her beloved elephants never will. Rest in peace Dame Daphne. Thank you.
Whitney Best
Posted 12 May 2018
Visiting the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust was the experience of a lifetime. Seeing the enormous amount of care and dedication to the beloved elephants was and still is, awe inspiring. The world has lost a true gem, a warrior, an inspiration, a genuine hero and we have hope for our future because of Dame Daphne Sheldrick. My sincerest condolences for her entire family, her team and her elephants. Rest peacefully madame, you do indeed deserve it.
Virginia Smith
Posted 12 May 2018
Hi! Dame Sheldrick has been my hero ever since I first heard about her. I read her autobiography a couple of years ago, & absolutely loved it! Her life has made such a huge difference. The world 🌎 is far better for having her in it. I’m so grateful to her for all the great work she has done for the elephants. She had such a huge ❤️ heart. My condolences & love to her friends & family. 💜💚💙
Beverly Patterson
Posted 12 May 2018
I think I was born with a huge love of elephants in my very soul. My very first and most loved stuffed animal was an elephant. Around the age of 6 or so, I started watching National Geographic programs. Just a few years later I heard about Dame Sheldrick and her work rescuing orphans; my heart was greatly moved, both for the plight of those elephants affected by the increased poaching and by Daphne’s ingenuity and determination to save them. I followed her story ever since (mid 1970’s) until now. One of my dream trips was to meet her and see her work first hand for myself; I am deeply saddened by her passing but greatly comforted to know that her work will go on and her legacy will live on. Thank you for allowing those of us who share her heart for these incredible animals to tell what she meant to us.
Anita Rampton
Posted 12 May 2018
I never got the chance to meet you. I look forward to coming to Kenya in september & visiting your orphanage. You are such an icon with your love & care for so many little orphans 🐘 🦏. You will be sadly missed. Forever in our thoughts & hearts xx
Gail Farmer
Posted 12 May 2018
A beautiful Angel. Dame Daphne was and always will be a shining light in this dark world for elephants. Her legacy will live on.
ray clark
Posted 12 May 2018
Dear Daphne.
Thank you so much for all you did for wildlife, and in particular elephants. I am so sorry you have left this earth and i regret that i never got to meet you, but i am grateful for the huge contribution you gave to help keep these magical creatures from further harm at the hands of poachers and ultimately from extinction.
May you rest in peace, and your work continue forever.
Much love and thanks,
Ray.
Donna Osborn
Posted 12 May 2018
Condolences to the family and staff who continue the important work started many years ago by this trailblazing woman with a heart of gold. I was humbled and inspired by the work of this great organization and the story of its origins. Continued blessings as you move forward carrying on her legacy.