Wildlife Prints African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

David Shepherd is not only known as one of the world's leading wildlife artists ­ but he is also known as a leading conservationist. He became a conservationist in 1960 when he saw 255 dead zebra lying around a poisoned waterhole. David says, "the greatest thrill of my life now is to be able to repay in fair measure the debt I owe to the animals I paint and which have brought me such success in life". He now does this through his Foundation, The David Shepherd Conservation Foundation for Endangered Mammals, and is delighted to be associated with the Sappi project.

His major passions, which include steam engines, aircraft and the mammals of the world, have provided the subject matter for his prolific career as an artist which has made his name a household word across many continents. In 1971 David Shepherd received the Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the Pratt Institute in New York. He has also been awarded the Order of the Golden Ark by HRH The Prince of the Netherlands for his services to conservation in Zambia and to Operation Tiger.

David Shepherd has worked prodigiously for wildlife, raising funds through the sale of original artworks and limited edition prints. One of his recent paintings donated to his Foundation has raised the staggering amount of £500 000.