Dian Fossey initiated an extensive study of mountain gorilla groups in 1966, an effort that lasted until her death in 1985. Operating primarily from the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda, she became a prominent figure in primatology, ethology, and conservation. Her research contributed significantly to the understanding of great ape behavior and habitat preservation during the twentieth century.
Formative Years and Education
Born in 1932 in San Francisco, California, Dian Fossey spent her early life in the United States. She attended Lowell High School and later enrolled at the College of Marin, followed by the University of California, Davis. After facing challenges in chemistry and physics, she transferred to San Jose State College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy in 1954. During her early professional years, she worked as an occupational therapist in California and Kentucky, eventually gaining an interest in zoology and wildlife.
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Take the IQ test →Early Encounters in Africa
In 1963, Fossey financed a trip to Africa, visiting Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rhodesia. During this journey, she met paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey at Olduvai Gorge, who introduced her to the concept of long-term research on great apes. Her initial contact with mountain gorillas occurred in Uganda, where she encountered the animals while camping near wildlife photographers Joan and Alan Root. This experience solidified her intention to pursue primatology.
Scientific Career at Karisoke
Fossey became one of the 'Trimates'—a group of three women, including Jane Goodall and Birutė Galdikas, recruited by Leakey to study great apes. She established the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda to conduct her daily observations of mountain gorillas. Her academic credentials expanded when she received a doctorate from the University of Cambridge in 1974. Throughout her tenure, she held various roles as a writer, academic, and ecologist, eventually working for Cornell University.
Active Conservation and Death
Following the 1977 killing of a gorilla named Digit, Fossey shifted her focus toward active conservation, opposing poaching and tourism in wildlife habitats. Her direct approach to protection generated tensions, and she was murdered in her cabin at the Karisoke Research Center on December 26, 1985. She was subsequently buried in the gorilla graveyard she established at the site.
Fast facts
- Born: 1932, San Francisco
- Died: 1985, Karisoke Research Center
- Education: University of Cambridge (doctorate), San Jose State University
- Field: Ethology, Primatology, Anthropology
- Notable Work: Gorillas in the Mist
- Citizenship: United States
- Major Research Site: Karisoke Research Center, Rwanda
Questions readers ask
What was Dian Fossey's primary contribution to science?
She conducted an extensive, long-term study of mountain gorilla groups in Rwanda, providing significant insights into their behavior and ecology.
How did Fossey die?
Fossey was murdered in her cabin at the Karisoke Research Center on December 26, 1985.
