Iconic Kenyan Elephant Known As A “Queen” Dies Aged 65

Conservationists in Kenya are mourning the death of an iconic 65-year-old elephant at the Tsavo East National Park.

The elephant that was christened as Dida passed away because of old age, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Dida, also known as the “Queen of Tsavo” had survived many challenges such as drought and poaching at Kenya’s biggest conservation area.

Conservationists took to Twitter to eulogise Dida hailing her for being resilient during adversity.

They shared pictures of her as she straddled the country’s biggest wildlife park covered in red soil with long tusks.

The park management described Dida as truly a matriarch of Tsavo and a great repository of many decades worth of knowledge.

Meanwhile, two elephants have died of famine in Imenti Forest on the slopes of Mount Kenya.

The current drought has taken its toll on wildlife with more than 100 elephants recorded dead at the Tsavo East and West National Parks in south-eastern Kenya, according to the Africa Wildlife Foundation in Kenya.

Conservationists say this is a setback considering the gains that have been made over the years with the decline in poaching cases due to increased surveillance.

A matriach has rested 🐘

We are saddened by the death of Dida who was possibly Africa’s largest female Tusker and a Matriarch residing in @KWSTsavoEast National Park. She died from natural causes due to old age having lived a full life to about 60-65 years old. pic.twitter.com/914FMPKLoF

— Kenya Wildlife Service (@kwskenya) November 1, 2022