On 20 September 2017 the Surrey-based David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) announced that Shepherd had died, on 19 September, after a 10-week fight in hospital with Parkinson's disease. The charity paid tribute to his devotion to the animals he painted, with chief executive Karen Botha saying, "David’s passion for wildlife and the role of man in its demise infuriated and inspired him.
On 20 September 2017, the Surrey-based David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) announced that Shepherd had passed away, on 19 September, after a 10-week battle in hospital with Parkinson's disease. The charity paid tribute to his dedication to the animals he painted, with chief executive Karen Botha saying, "David’s enthusiasm for wildlife and the role of humans in its decline stirred and motivated him.