The Prince of Wales is devastated by the loss of his close friend Mark Jenkins and Mark’s son Peter, who died on December 8 in Kenya. Mark had dedicated his life to protecting wildlife in East Africa, and Prince William expressed his condolences on Twitter by writing that Mark was a man he “loved and admired.”
“Mark Jenkins, and his son Peter, were tragically killed when flying over Tsavo National Park while conducting an aerial patrol,” he wrote. “Yesterday, I lost a friend, who dedicated his life to protecting wildlife in some of East Africa’s most renowned national parks.
He signed off with the letter “W” and said, “Tonight, I’m thinking about Mark’s wife, family, and coworkers who sadly lost a man we all loved and admired.”
Mark was a skilled bush pilot, ranger, and conversationalist. The Cessna 185 aircraft belonged to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT). Peter and Mark both volunteered for the Trust.
According to officials, the two were attempting to drive cattle, which included cows, camels, and goats, out of the park at the time the incident occurred.
According to reports, it crashed at around 7:15 a.m. local time while on patrol in Huri, which is on the park’s northern edge. According to the park’s official website, it is one of the largest national parks in the world and covers almost 22,000 square kilometers, making it the largest in Kenya.
Between Nairobi City and Mombasa, in Kenya’s Coast Province, are the two parks that make up Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park. According to the website, the park is home to red elephants and vast open areas.
Photo via Twitter
Teams from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) are on the scene to look into the circumstances surrounding the collision, according to a statement from KWS.
The families of the deceased are sent a message from KWS expressing their condolences and deepest sympathies.
According to a statement from his former employer, the Frankfurt Zoological Society, “Mark was a lifelong conservationist and experienced bush pilot, who dedicated his career to protecting wildlife in some of East Africa’s most renowned national parks. Conservation was in Mark’s blood; as the son of a Game Warden for Kenya Wildlife Service, he largely grew up in Kenya’s Meru National Park.
An accomplished pilot, Mark contributed to the development of the Serengeti National Park’s airwing by introducing two Aviat Husky aircraft used for anti-poaching and surveillance. He also played a key role in the establishment of the first de-snaring teams inside the park, creating jobs for locals and minimizing the negative effects of snares on wildlife.
Mark was described as “passionate, principled, and strong-willed” in the statement, which also noted that he “was never afraid to speak his mind and stand for what he believed in.”
We will miss his warmth, his hilarious stories, and his sometimes rather irreverent comments which always made us smile. Mark was a devoted husband and father and leaves behind his wife and his son. Those of us who worked alongside him remember him for his determination, thoughtfulness, his energy, his mischievous smile, and his deep love of wildlife and wild places.
