Dian Fossey
Dian Fossey and the Mountain GorillaThe mountain gorilla was first discovered in 1902 by Captain von Beringe in Rwanda. These creatures were described as tall "man-like" apes and little was known about them until George Schaller spent a year examining them and wrote the book "The year of the Gorilla". It was this book that inspired a young Dian Fossey to learn more about mountain gorillas. Dian Fossey was born in 1932 and studied at Jose State University graduating as an occupational therapist. Upon graduation Dian found a job at the Kosair Children's Hospital in Kentucky. Dian enjoyed her job but she longed to see the rest of the world. By borrowing money she was able to finance a trip to Africa to visit the excavations at Olduvia and the mountain gorillas of the Virunga Volcanoes. In 1963 Dian set out to Africa. It was during this trip where she met Dr. Louis Leakey. Leakey w
Once Dian was settled in the Congo she began her study of the giant apes. Dian also observed how families interacted with other families. This incident influenced Dian tremendously and brought the creation of the Digit Fund to protect the mountain gorilla. Then she changed her method and announced her presence by imitating their sounds. This time she set up her camp on the Rwandan side of the mountains. In 1966 she attended a conference where she met Dr. Dian accepted the job and with Leakey's funding she left for Africa in 1966. Dian returned home and wrote about her experiences in Africa to the Louisville Courier Journal. Dian's research in the Congo ended quickly when Moise Tshombe took control of the Kisangani and Bukavu regions. as one of the most well known paleoanthropologists in the world and was heading the excavations at Olduvia. She observed the relationships within the family and how they behaved amongst each other. She would play with them and live amongst them as though she was part of their family. The Rwanda Government and other organizations now protect mountain gorillas so that others can carry on Dian's work. During her research Dian became closely attached to one of the gorillas named Digit.
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