CO-FOUNDER OF THE LEWA DOWNS CONSERVANCY PASSES AWAY
(Posted 19th June 2014)
Sad news reached from Lewa Downs, one of Kenya’s first conservancies, that co-founder Delia Craig has passed away just a few days after her 90th birthday. Delia (1924 – 2014 and her late husband David (1924 – 2009) founded the conservancy on the land Delia’s father had bequeathed to her, starting with the Ngare Sergoi sanctuary for rhinos in 1983 together with Anna Merz, which was later to become part of the greater Lewa Conservancy. She passed the baton on to her son Ian Craig, who was at the helm of Lewa until 2009 but remains connected as a key advisor to this day. Lewa was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site last year when the existing Mt. Kenya World Heritage Site was enlarged to include the Ngare Ndare Forest and the Lewa Conservancy.
Delia and David left a lasting wildlife conservation legacy behind and their country Kenya and the local and global conservation fraternity owe her, and her late husband, a large debt of gratitude. I was privileged to have made your acquaintance when working in Nairobi in the 80’s and will as many many more bow my head in mourning! Rest in Peace Delia!
