Daphne Sheldrick

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Dame Daphne Marjorie Sheldrick (born Daphne Jenkins; 4 June 1934 – 12 April 2018) was a Kenyan conservationist and animal expert renowned for raising and reintegrating orphaned elephants back into the wild. She founded the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and spent more than 30 years caring for a wide range of wildlife.

Early life and career
Daphne Jenkins was born in Kenya to British parents and grew up around animals and nature. She married Bill Woodley in 1953 and later wed his boss, David Sheldrick, in 1960. From 1955 to 1976, Daphne and David were co-wardens of Tsavo National Park, where they began rescuing and caring for orphaned animals. Daphne developed a special milk formula to feed infant elephants and rhinos, a crucial breakthrough in wildlife care.

Orphans and the trust
The Sheldricks’ work inspired the creation of an orphanage for wild animals, highlighted by the famous story of the elephant Samson. After David died in 1977, Daphne continued the rescue work with her family. The David Sheldrick Memorial Appeal evolved into the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in 1987, and in 2019 it was renamed the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to honor Daphne and the family. The Trust runs anti-poaching efforts, mobile veterinary units, aerial surveillance, and community outreach, focusing on rescuing and reintegrating elephants and other wildlife.

Impact
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has rescued hundreds of orphaned elephants and rhinos and has reintegrated many back into the wild. Daphne was widely recognized for her pioneering work in animal husbandry and conservation.

Awards and honors
Daphne received numerous honors for her conservation efforts, including:
- Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1989
- UNEP Global 500 Roll of Honour in 1992
- Honorary Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from Glasgow University in 2000
- Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) by the Kenyan government in 2001
- BBC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002
- Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2006

Personal life and death
Daphne and David had two daughters, Gillian Woodley and Angela Sheldrick. She died on 12 April 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya, at the age of 83 after battling breast cancer.

Legacy
Daphne Sheldrick’s work transformed elephant and wildlife conservation in Kenya and around the world, and her life continues to inspire ongoing efforts to protect and rehabilitate wildlife.