“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.
Julie Titcombe
Posted 14 April 2018
I am heartbroken following Dame Daphne’s passing. I and my partner Dr Arnold Stead have visited the Nairobi orphanage over 60 times. We have been priveleged in meeting Dame Daphne We cannot stay away during our trips to Kenya from the UK.we also visited the reintegration units in Voi and Ithumba Tsavo. We send our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to all of Daphne’s family particularly Angela and Jill. We also feel the sadness of all the elephant keepers who loved her too. I know the elephants will sense her spirit and they will forever have a wonderful elephant angel watching over them. Always in our thoughts.
Bless you all. Julie Titcombe and Arnold Stead foster parents to seven orphans including Wendi McKenna Kora Ol Malo Nyiro Ndotto.
Gail Berkeley
Posted 14 April 2018
Donating to this fund is the best way I can think of to let you know how saddened I am for your loss. It is also a loss for all of us who hold Dr. Sheldrick in such high esteem. She is truly one of my greatest heroes. I will never forget the first time I visited the Nairobi orphanage (maybe 15 years ago) and got to stand next to “my” little elephant , who seemed to be enchanted with winding her tiny trunk around my hand and arm. The photo remains on my refrigerator door, and I still smile every time I see it. With that visit I realized to the full extend just what a remarkable contribution Dr. Sheldrick has made for elephants, for Kenya and for the world. She was simply remarkable, and is one of the greatest people I have known of in my entire lifetime. I will be visiting the orphanage again in June, and I know her loving presence will still be felt as strong as ever.
Liam Potts
Posted 14 April 2018
Angela – May we convey our deepest condolences to your whole family on the passing of your mom . She was a burning light and champion for wildlife and a great lady . You all are in our thoughts and prayers and may she rest in peace.
Kevin Omuyonga
Posted 14 April 2018
Greetings Angela, Please accept my deep condolence on the death of your mom Daphne Sheldrick. It was such an unexpected and sad news. From the time we heard about the death of Daphne Sheldrick while in a meeting with Robert Carr-Hartley, the Safaricom family have kept you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. I’m the Relationship manager for DSWT business account with Safaricom and I mostly interact with Robert Carr-Hartley. As safararicom we pass our message of condolence for the loss of Dame Daphne who dedicated her life to protecting elephants & other wildlife animals in Kenya.
Jonathan, Angie, David and Alia
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angie and Rob. We have been away at the Coast with son David and his girlfriend who are visiting from the States. But we were so very sorry to hear of Daphne’s passing while we were away. I spoke to Roy a week or so ago and he brought us up to date on news of the family. We knew that Daphne had been battling for some time. In fact we saw her from afar at the Galleria Nbi Hospital branch a while back and she looked really poorly. She was a warrior and we all had great respect for her. I always remember when David Western was heading up KWS and there was a public debate at the Kenya National Museum and Daphne did not mince her words in telling him that the priority for National Parks was to protect wildlife – not people – people have their own champions and wildlife cannot vote!! Or words to that effect. And again I met with her one time at Nairobi NP for an informal gathering on the future of the Park – and it was so refreshing to have her tell it as it is. She will be greatly missed as a genuine pioneer among conservationists, one willing to buck the system regardless of any personal concerns in fighting for what she believed in. You cannot do better than that. Of course the loss must be devastating to you and the family and we send you our love and condolences. Daphne was an inspiration to all of us. Lots of love
David Drinkard
Posted 14 April 2018
Hello Angela, I was saddened to hear about the loss of your mother. Nothing prepares you for the loss of a parent and I know you close you both were. I sympathize with your pain. I lost my mother in January of this year. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Shari and Herb
Posted 14 April 2018
We wanted to send our condolences on the death of Daphne. You know the Sheldrick Trust is very special to us. We are so grateful for all you do there. Sending hugs to all.
Birgit & Matthias
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, We are all deeply saddened by the death of Daphne and we would like to send our personal condolences to you and your family. We feel blessed, that we have met Daphne in person and that we were able to support her inspiring lifework. We will of course continue our work and support for the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust – Daphne has left a tremendous legacy. It is an honour to continue her mission alongside the DSWT. Sincere and deepest condolences from all of us at AGA. May Daphne rest in peace and live in our memories for ever. We wish you and all at the DSWT the best at this difficult time.
Deborah Calmeyer
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela. I just wanted to extend my deepest condolences to you. I’m so very sorry to hear of the passing of your mum. What a woman. The world is in awe. Thank you for all the work you do and for continuing the legacy. I also wanted to thank you so much for meeting with my group. I understand they adopted several Ellie’s.
Lynn Booth
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, All of us in Canada who have met your mother or witnessed her work grieve her passing. We think of you, your family and the elephants with care. I am sure you are receiving thousands upon thousands of messages of love and condolences. Dame Daphne Sheldrick continues to inspire us all. Peace be with you.
Carey Ostrer
Posted 14 April 2018
I am so sorry for your great loss. My simple message is that she has left a great legacy, and wonderful caring people at the elephant orphanage, long may this important work continue – until the wild is safe for elephants.
Gill Percival
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela. I was deeply saddened by your email concerning the passing of your dear mother, Daphne Sheldrick. She was an exceptional woman and so passionate about the elephants in Kenya – an inspiration to all. Her development of the milk which has saved, and is saving, so many orphaned babies was inspired. When Malaika sadly died many years ago, I wrote to your mother as I had been sponsoring this beautiful elephant for a long time, she very kindly wrote back and included a lovely photo of Malaika for me, which I still treasure. I have since sponsored many young babies, all of whom are now either back in the wild or ready to make that transition. Sokotei is my latest. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss which must be still very raw. However, know that she is at peace and not in pain anymore. Please, please continue doing her wonderful work. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Gisela Roth
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear family of Daphne Sheldrick, I grieve with you the loss of this remarkable woman, conservationist and elephant mother. She is leaving a remarkable heritage to you, an example to follow and a life to be thankful for with impact literally around the world. I deeply appreciate what she has done for the so threatened elephants and especially their babies. May you find comfort at this time by the great comforter, in each other and in the knowledge how much Daphne and her life work mean to so many of us
Pat Duke
Posted 14 April 2018
It was with shock and profound sadness when we heard the news of Daphne passing on the 12th April 2018. She was and is an icon. Never forgotten, always remembered. She was Mama tembo. Supreme Matriarch of Kenya’s elephants. Deepest condolences to the family and all those who knew and loved her. We have her book which is much treasured. Thank you Angela for taking up the sword for your Mother-we know you have been helping your Mother for quite some time. Our hearts are heavy but your dear mother and grandmother is safe and pain free now. She fought the good fight. Rest easy beautiful soul. Kwenda pole pole maridadi memsahib.
Anne Douglas
Posted 14 April 2018
Good Morning, Jill and Angela, Please accept my condolences in respect of your dear mother’s passing on five days ago. I emailed your mum several times to chat about the wildlife society which I know that she was very, very proud of and duly so. How are those adorable elephants? Please tell me a little about them . . .My aunt June used to be in school with Dame Daphne. She contacted your mother after 2013. In school my aunt June was known as June Brett and June remembers your mum’s birthday on 4 June, the same date as June’s granddaughter. They live in Canada. She knew your mum as Daphne Jenkins.
Tacie
Posted 14 April 2018
Rol and I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Dame Daphne’s family and to everyone at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Having had the opportunity to meet Daphne and Angela during our visit in December 2014 was one of the highlights of my life. Having a private conversation with Daphne, while sitting on the patio, was so meaningful to me. I learned a lot from her that day. She changed my life. Not only did she teach me a great deal about elephants, but also that each and every one of us can make a difference in the effort to save and protect wildlife. My passion in this endeavor has never diminished since that day. Daphne was and is my hero. Forever. I carry immense love for her in my heart. She was truly remarkable in that she educated and inspired millions of people around the world to respect and honor and protect wildlife, especially elephants. She taught us that all creatures have as much right to dwell on this planet and to live out their natural lives as we do. She made a huge difference in such a positive way and not many people can say that. Daphne will always be with us and with the elephants. Her star will never dim. Her work will go on in the very capable hands of Angela and her family. They, too, are truly remarkable and I am so grateful for their dedication. The world is a better place because they are in it. Thank you to everyone at DSWT.
Renate Berthold
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Sheldrick-family
. Thank you for letting us know what terrible loss you have suffered – but indeed not only you – I feel almost bereaved myself and saddened and I’m sure her babies will miss her very much as well. It certainly is a consolation that you – the family – will carry on just as Dame Daphne must have wished. Thank you again for all the good you are doing – God bless.
Very sincerely, yours Renate Berthold
Catherine Tschanen
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, Rob and all the family of the Trust, I feel such a deep sorrow to hear that Daphne has passed away. She was an example of what we should all do to protect the Earth and its wildlife. Daphne’s work and dedication boosted us all and gave us the necessary positive energy to keep getting involved in many wildlife protection projects. She taught us to never give up, follow our heart, work hard, be for ever the ambassador of the elephants and always fight for their rights and the ones of all the animal species of this world. We are so glad and thankful to have been able to meet her twice and to know with extreme relief that her family and the members of the Trust are following her tracks. I will keep her deep into my heart as well as you Angela, even if I saw you both only twice. We will come again and Terre et Faune will keep supporting your fabulous work as much as we can. We will never have enough words to thank you all enough for your dedication. Fortunately family like yours does exist and is an example for the whole humanity. We deeply respect and love you.
Tanya, Ian, Sala and Onna
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Pip and Jill, We were so very sorry to hear the news about your Mum. As I am sure you have been told a thousand times by now, she was so admired and respected all over the world, and certainly blazed a bright light for elephants, Tsavo and conservation across the globe – a very special lady indeed. I know she was immensely proud of her family – first and foremost the two of you, and of course your children – and it was so clear to everyone who knew her how much happiness you all brought to her life. Words seem so inadequate at a time like this but I wanted you to know that we – like so many others – are thinking of you all at this time, sharing memories of your Mum and sending you our love. We are looking forward to seeing you in the summer when Sala, Onna and I finally make it back out to Kenya, and hopefully we can have a special toast together in Tsavo for your Mum.
Ian Saunders
Posted 14 April 2018
Dear Angela, I have waited several days before writing to you and the family as I know you will be inundated with correspondence and condolences from across the world. I would like to convey to you and all the family that you are in the thoughts of the Saunders/Trevor clan at this time. There is very little to add to what has already been said about your mum, personally I was just happy to see her before I flew to the UK and despite what she was going through she was smiling. I will never forget that smile, I always thought that “Daph” smiled with her eyes and they were captivating. With the world population at over seven and a half billion the odds are such that only a very tiny percentage of humans will ever really make their mark in history, your mum was one of those. Apart from her pioneering work with young elephants she was also a wife and a mother which led to the creation of what is probably her greatest legacy. She has left behind an important world class organisation that, under your continued leadership will go from strength to strength, of that I have no doubt and as long as the trust continues so will your mums memory not just in Kenya but globally. Simon and I raised a glass to your mum over here in England, Mark, Bongo and I are going to do the same together as soon as I get back, to celebrate the life of a great lady! So we all continue the fight to keep Tsavo alive against ever increasing odds, all I can say is thank hell we have you guys there! I will be back at the end of this month and will pop round after I land, if there is anything we can do please just ask. All the best to the family