How Dian Fossey’s Vision Changed from Research to Rescuing the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda
To talk about Dian Fossey, we must talk about Louis Leakey's Trimates, Leakey's Angels, or Leakey's Primates. Louis Leakey chose Dian Fossey, Jane Goodall, and Birute Galdikas to study the great apes in their natural habitats.
Dian began her research in what was then the Congo. However, civil war forced Dian's evacuation, but she didn't quit. Instead, she went to Rwanda and established her Karisoke Research Center on September 24th, 1967.
Dian's focus was on research. She'd wake up every morning excited to learn more about the mountain gorillas. However, it took her a couple of years for them to get used to her and come closer.
Digit was the first gorilla to approach Dian. He was young and had no playmates, so he was attracted by whatever Dian was doing. He became her favorite gorilla.
On December 31st of 1977, poachers captured Digit, decapitated him, and removed his hands and feet. She was broken-hearted. With Digit and several members of his group murdered, Dian felt the loss of her true family. Then that her focus turned to conservation. She believed if she didn't save mountain gorillas from extinction, there wouldn't be any left to study.
Dian beefed up the anti-poaching patrols she had formed to help protect the gorillas. Their job was to capture poachers, confiscate contraband, and cut down snares. As a result, Dian Fossey expanded our understanding of mountain gorillas, Gorilla beringei beringei, and helped save the species from extinction with her dedication to protecting them.
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