10 fun and interesting Dian Fossey facts

1. A Primatologist Who Saved the Mountain Gorillas

Dian Fossey was a renowned primatologist who dedicated her life to the study of mountain gorillas in the forests of Rwanda. She was initially encouraged to work there by the famous anthropologist Louis Leakey, and she spent her days observing and recording the behavior of these majestic creatures. Her work was groundbreaking and she is credited with helping to save the mountain gorillas from extinction.

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2. A Primatologist Who Changed the Way We View Gorillas

Dian Fossey was a renowned primatologist and conservationist who dedicated her life to the study of mountain gorillas. Her 1983 book, Gorillas in the Mist, is a testament to her work, combining her scientific research of the mountain gorilla at the Karisoke Research Center with her own personal story. Fossey's research was groundbreaking, and her book has become a classic in the field of primatology, providing an intimate look into the lives of these majestic creatures and the challenges they face in the wild.

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3. A Woman Determined to Save the Mountain Gorillas

Dian Fossey arrived in the Congo during a period of great unrest and turmoil. The country was in the midst of a civil war, and the political and social climate was highly unstable. Fossey was determined to continue her research on the mountain gorillas, despite the dangerous conditions. She was determined to make a difference and to protect the endangered species, and she ultimately succeeded in her mission.

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4. Saving Mountain Gorillas

Dian Fossey was a renowned primatologist and conservationist who founded the Karisoke Research Center in 1967. Located in the remote rainforest of Ruhengeri province, the camp was nestled in the saddle of two volcanoes, providing a unique and picturesque backdrop for her research. Fossey's work at the Karisoke Research Center was instrumental in raising awareness of the plight of the endangered mountain gorillas of the region, and her legacy continues to this day.

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5. Gorilla conservationist who fought against tourism

Dian Fossey was a passionate advocate for the conservation of gorillas, and strongly opposed tourism due to the risk of human diseases like influenza. Gorillas have no immunity to such diseases, and Fossey feared that contact with humans could lead to devastating consequences for the species. She dedicated her life to protecting the gorillas, and her work has been credited with helping to save the species from extinction.

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6. Dian Fossey's Legacy: Gorilla Fund International

Dian Fossey was a passionate conservationist who dedicated her life to the protection of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. To further her mission, she established the Digit Fund, which is now known as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International in the United States. This organization raises money to fund anti-poaching patrols, helping to ensure the safety of these endangered animals. Fossey's legacy lives on through the work of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, which continues to fight for the protection of mountain gorillas.

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7. One of the world's most renowned primatologists

Dian Fossey was one of the most renowned primatologists in the world during her lifetime, and was part of the 'Trimates' - a group of three researchers sent by Leakey to study great apes in their natural habitats. Fossey focused her research on gorillas, while Jane Goodall studied chimpanzees and Birutė Galdikas studied orangutans. Fossey's work was groundbreaking and her dedication to the conservation of gorillas was unparalleled.

8. A Lifetime of Animal Conservation

Dian Fossey had a lifelong passion for animals that began when she was a young girl with her first pet goldfish. This love for animals only grew stronger as she got older, and she eventually dedicated her life to the conservation of gorillas in Rwanda. Her work with the gorillas was so influential that it was the subject of the 1988 film Gorillas in the Mist, which was based on her 1983 autobiography of the same name.

9. Dian Fossey's love of horse riding led to her success

From a young age, Dian Fossey was passionate about horse riding. At the tender age of six, she had already begun to hone her skills, and by the time she graduated high school in 1954, she had become an accomplished equestrienne. Her dedication and hard work was rewarded with a letter from her school, recognizing her achievements in the sport.

10. A Passion for Animals Led to a Career in Conservation

Dian Fossey had a lifelong passion for animals, and she was determined to pursue a career working with them despite her stepfather's wishes that she attend a business school. She was determined to follow her own path and dedicated her life to the study and conservation of gorillas in the wild, becoming one of the world's leading experts on the species. Her work was groundbreaking and she was instrumental in raising awareness of the plight of the endangered mountain gorillas.