Today marks two years since Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick passed away from breast cancer. April 12 will always be a sad day, but also one to remember her and the extraordinary mark that she made on this world. Daphne is forever missed, yet she is always with us. She lives on in the pristine Tsavo wilderness that she and David transformed all those years ago; in the orphaned elephants now grown and roaming free in that very wilderness; and indeed, in the next generation of Tsavo’s elephants, the wild babies born to orphans rescued and raised by the Trust. A woman as remarkable as Daphne transcends time, and we continue her life’s work with more passion and vigor than ever, proud to have her remarkable legacy to build upon.

In concert with Daphne’s passing, a most remarkable thing happened, something that would have made her heart sing: For the past two years, Tsavo — a place that is beset by very difficult and often long dry seasons — has been blessed with the most bountiful rains in living memory. It has been totally transformed, unrecognisable with its profusion of vegetation, blanketing the land in vibrant shades of green. Life abounds, with every wild species experiencing a baby boom. Our orphans are no exception; in the last year alone, we celebrated the arrival of six calves born to elephants we rescued, raised, and reintegrated back into the wild, bringing our new total of wild-born babies to 36.

These babies are the ultimate stamp of success for our work, which Daphne pioneered more than half a century ago. It is remarkable that the orphans themselves choose to bestow these affirmations firsthand, introducing their newborns to the people who rescued and raised them all those years ago. However, when you are intimately acquainted with this species, it makes perfect sense. Elephants' lives are defined by love and bound by family. They are extremely perceptive and never forget acts of kindness. Long after they have grown up and transitioned to the wild, they never forget the human family who supported them through their darkest days.

Nothing made Daphne happier than these moments, gazing upon new life born to one saved and nurtured through all that she began. In many ways, elephants are not unlike humans, and as such, raising them is a complicated and long-term endeavour. Orphans come to us deeply anguished, grappling with the physical and emotional trauma that left them without a family. Rehabilitating them takes patience, empathy, determination — all qualities that Daphne had in spades. Elephants seemed to gravitate towards her, recognising her as one of their own.

The surreal times in which we find ourselves today are both heartbreaking and humbling. We could have never imagined that all this would come to pass, yet perhaps we can use this pause to take stock of where we are today. I know Daphne would encourage us to work towards a new beginning, one marked by more humility and respect towards our natural world, understanding how important it is for our own survival. To use one of my favourite quotes from my mum, “We only have one home, the Earth, and we as the dominant species must take care of it."

Daphne epitomised the best of humanity and she remains an excellent role model for us all. On the second anniversary of her passing, I hope that you too draw inspiration from her remarkable life and all that she achieved. Daphne serves as a guiding light for all of us to do better for ourselves, our families, and for all life that shares our beautiful world.