Dida, also known as the Queen of Tsavo, believed to be Africa’s largest and most famous tusker female elephant, died of old age in Tsavo East National Park. In the statement made by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), it was stated that Dida was between 60 and 65, the upper age limit for elephants, and “died of natural causes due to old age”.
Describing Dida as an “iconic chieftain” of Tsavo East National Park, KWS said, “Dida was a truly iconic chieftain of Tsavo and a great repository of decades of knowledge. She shepherds her flock for many seasons and hard times. It has been the subject of several documentaries and has become an iconic tourist attraction,” she said.
Last year, 179 elephants perished in Kenya due to the drought affecting East Africa. (UAV)