"Iconic" star elephant Dida has passed away

Nairobi, Kenya - Dida, a female elephant famous throughout Africa for her unusually long tusks, has died.

Dida was a large African elephant who led her herd for decades (stock image).
Dida was a large African elephant who led her herd for decades (stock image).  © 123rf/vlapaev

Kenya Wildlife Service's (KWS) Tsavo East National Park announced on Tuesday the passing of one of their most beloved animals.

Dida is thought to have died of old age. She lived to be between 60 and 65 years old and was the leader of her herd at Tsavo East National Park in southeastern Kenya for decades. She was also somewhat of a star as the subject of many documentaries.

"Tsavo has suffered the loss of a best-loved matriarch and the greatest repository of many decades worth of knowledge," the park service's Twitter read.

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"She shepherded her herd through many seasons and challenging times," KWS said, noting that she was also "an iconic tourist attraction."

Unlike the often solitary male elephant bulls, females usually live with their offspring in larger family groups.

"To us, allowing an elephant to live its full life is something we are very proud of," the park added.

According to the conservation organization Tsavo Trust, Dida will be "remembered by the many generations" of elephants to come who will benefit "from the lessons they learned as they watched their matriarch pass her careful judgment." After all, they said, "an elephant never forgets."

Cover photo: 123rf/vlapaev

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