Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has mourned Dr Daphne Marjorie Sheldrick, a Kenyan-British author, conservationist and expert in animal husbandry.
The Kenya-born was educated at Nakuru Primary School and the Kenya High School where she matriculated in 1950 with Honours and the possibility of a bursary to attend university; however, she opted for marriage.
From 1955-76, she was co-warden of Tsavo National Park with her late husband, David Sheldrick She was born on 4 June 1934 and died on 12 April 2018, aged 84.
On Saturday, Balala mourned her demise, saying:
"It is with deep sorrow that I have learnt about the demise of Dame Dr. Daphne Marjorie Sheldrick, a Kenyan-British author, conservationist and expert in animal husbandry; particularly the raising and re-integrating of orphaned elephants into the wild for over 30 years.
Daphne played an immensely important role in the rescue and rehabilitation of many wild animal species.
On behalf of the Government of Kenya, I would like to offer our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the family of Daphne and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust fraternity.
The loss of such an eminent conservationist is indeed a great loss to Kenya and the international community.
Daphne, you will be sorely missed.
Hon. Najib Balala, EGH
CABINET SECRETARY"