Who is Dian Fossey?
Dian Fossey is an American zoologist who is famous for her work with gorillas in Rwanda. Her career was unfortunately cut short when she was murdered in 1985, in circumstances which have yet to be resolved. Several foundations and organizations carry on the memory of Dian Fossey in their conservation work, including The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. She is considered one of “Leakey’s Angels,” a group of noted women researchers who worked in Africa with great apes. She was born in 1932 in San Francisco, and from an early age, she had an interest in zoology and veterinary science. She struggled with the coursework, however, ultimately becoming an occupational therapist in the 1960s. However, Fossey was never really happy for this work, and she began to be drawn to Africa and the work of Louis Leakey, a paleontologist who made a number of notable discoveries. In the 1960s, she went to Leakey with the intent of getting a job working with gorillas, and by 1967, she was working in
The mountain gorillas of Zaire and Rwanda could probably answer this question better than any human. However, we will do our best to introduce you to the woman who contributed more to gorilla preservation than any other scientist to this day. Born: January 16, 1932 in San Fransisco, CA Undergraduate Studies: 1950’s at San Jose State as a Pre-Veterinarian student then changed her field of study to Occupational Therapy 10 Years Later…1963-first voyage to Africa where she lived among the mountain gorillas of Zaire for six weeks. While there, she met Louis Leakey who furthered her interest in the study of gorillas. Sponsored Research Program in Africa: 1966-supported by National Geographic Society and Wilkie Foundation to establish a gorilla research center in Zaire. Political instability forced her move to Rwanda in 1967. Karisoke: 1967-a research camp in Rwanda established by Fossey. It still exists in the Virunga Conservation area. Doctorate: 1970-1974 she studies Zoology at Cambridge
