Biography Of Dian Fossey

Biography

Born in San Francisco, California on January 16, 1932. He received his studies of Therapy Work in San Jose State College in 1954 and a doctorate in zoology from the University of Cambridge in 1974.

In 1963, while on sabbatical six weeks in Africa year, Fossey met Dr. Louis Leakey, who spoke with urgency about the need for research on great apes. Under the direction of Leakey, Fossey agreed to mountain gorillas long-term field study.

In 1966, Fossey won the support and funding from the National Geographic Society and the Wilkie Brothers Foundation for a research program in the Congo (then Zaire). Due to intense political turmoil and rebellion in Zaire, Fossey was and moved to Rwanda. In 1967, he founded the Center for Research in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park Karisoke between two volcanoes: Mt. Karisimbi and Mt. Visoke.

For many years, Fossey conducted a research base camp in the mountains, located about 10,000 feet above sea level. He struggled with fear of heights on steep slopes, and fought the disease, torrential rains, poachers, witchcraft and revolution. However, they were rewarded for their tireless efforts gorilla in the room when an adult male gorilla, who had called Mani, touched his hand. This gesture was the first recorded instance of Pacific-gorilla to human contact.

Although she cared deeply for each gorilla, Fossey became particularly attached to a young male gorilla named digit. In 1977, their friendship tragically stopped when poachers attacked and killed the young gorilla. Fossey reacted with fury and an even greater commitment. It was shortly after the death of Digit Digit Fossey founded the Foundation to help raise money to protect the gorillas.

In 1983, Fossey Gorillas in the Mist published an account of his life and work in Karisoke. A movie based on the book was released in 1988. The film, starring Sigourney Weaver as Dian Fossey and achieved great success with audiences and helped attract public support for the work of Fossey.

Although Fossey was murdered in 1985 in her bedroom at Karisoke, in the years following his legacy has grown through Digit (the name of the foundation was changed after his death at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International) and programs the Fossey Fund, dedicated to the conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitats in Africa.

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