Dian Fossey: photo, biography, scientific activity

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:55

Who is Dian Fossey? The years of life of this outstanding initiator of environmental actions 1932-1985. Even in his youth, this outstanding personality decided to devote himself to studying the behavior of gorillas in their natural habitat. She worked on the study and protection of animals until her death. Let's look at the biography of Dian Fossey, find out what kind of scientific activity our heroine was engaged in.

Early years

Dian Fossey, whose photo can be seen in the article, was born on January 16, 1932 in San Francisco, United States. When the girl was 6 years old, her parents decided to leave. Soon Katherine, the mother of our heroine, connected her life with a successful businessman Richard Price. Father George tried not to lose touch with his daughter. However, the girl's mother prevented this in every possible way. Ultimately, he stopped visiting little Diane and participating in her upbringing.

From an early age, the girl was fond of horseback riding. It was this activity that instilled in young Dian Fossey a love for animals. After graduating from school, she was enrolled in the College of Economics, where she studied business. The prospect of this kind of activity did not fall ongirl's soul. Therefore, at the age of 19, she decided to change her profession. Soon, Dian Fossey entered the University of California in the veterinary department. In 1954, the girl received a diploma confirming her bachelor's degree.

Then Dian Fossey got a job at a Louisville hospital. Here our heroine participated in the rehabilitation of children suffering from autism. During this period, her main dream was a trip to Africa on a real safari. However, the girl could not afford it, because she received a modest salary. Over time, Dian Fossey became friends with a woman named Mary Henry, who served as a secretary at the hospital. They soon joined forces to organize a trip to Africa.

Meet the gorillas

In September 1963, Dian Fossey arrived in Kenya. It was here, in one of the national parks, that our heroine realized her old dream by going on a safari. The trip made a great impression on the woman. For several months, Diane traveled to Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Congo and Rwanda. During the trip, the young explorer saw gorillas for the first time in her life.

Fossey's enthusiasm, her fascination with wild animals, all caught the attention of a paleontologist named Louis Leakey. The latter invited Diane to join the team to study mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Our heroine, without much thought, agreed to stay in Africa.

Tipping point in life

Having workedseveral years in the field of wildlife conservation, Dian Fossey returned to her homeland. Thanks to Dr. Louis Leakey's protectorate, she was able to secure a grant from the National Geographic Society. In 1966, our heroine went to Nairobi. Here I got equipment and went to meet Jane Goodall, the famous researcher of chimpanzees. Having gained invaluable experience, Diane decided to organize her own camp in Prince Albert National Park. For six months, the woman observed several family groups of mountain gorillas.

Soon a military conflict broke out in the Congo, caused by the organization of a rebellion in the government. Mass riots affected the province in which Diane worked. In the summer of 1967, the researcher was arrested by local soldiers. Fossey was imprisoned for a month. However, she managed to escape by bribing the guards. The woman went to neighboring Uganda. From here, she again tried to return to her research camp. This time, after being detained, she had to endure all kinds of torture and abuse. It was only by a miracle that Diane escaped and made it to Nairobi. After meeting up with longtime friend Dr. Leakey, she traveled to Rwanda, where she established the mountain camp Karisoke, which became her home for many years.

Dian Fossey Science Activity

In 1968, South African photographer Bob Campbell, who was sent there by the National Geographic Society, arrived at the Karisoke camp. The man began to accompany Diane on all sorties to the habitats of gorillas. Thanks toFossey's first scientific article titled "How to Befriend Mountain Gorillas" was soon published in National Geographic magazine. The material was accompanied by unique photographs of Campbell. Thus, the fearless researcher has become a real world celebrity. Diane began to periodically travel to the UK, where she worked on a dissertation in the field of zoology. In 1974, the famous researcher received her doctorate.

Gorillas in the Fog

Between 1981 and 1983 our heroine was working on writing the book Gorillas in the Mist. Dian Fossey was subsequently recognized as the author of this bestseller. The scientific work of the researcher to this day remains one of the best-selling books about wild animals.

In 1988, American director Michael Apted made a film of the same name, based on the book of the famous zoologist. Popular actress Sigourney Weaver portrayed the explorer, who devoted more than twenty years of her life to studying mountain gorillas. By the way, the lead actress was subsequently nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category.

Tragic death

Dian Fossey's life ended on December 27, 1985. On this day, the lifeless body of the renowned researcher was discovered in one of the bungalows of the Karisoke Science Center. As it became known, the woman was hacked to death with her own machete. ATThe subsequent killer was never found. Presumably, the crime was committed by poachers who wanted to return to the exploitation of gorillas for selfish purposes. Dian Fossey is buried near her own bungalow next to several previously killed gorillas.

After the tragic death of our heroine, she began to be widely criticized. Some envious scientists reproached Diane for actions aimed at increasing her own popularity and significance. Rwandan politicians accused Fossey of racism. According to some allegations, the researcher participated in the massacre of poachers without trial or investigation. However, such accusations remained speculation.

Dian's Legacy

To this day, employees of the Karisoke Research Center are educating the African population about the need to protect nature and endangered species of animals. Nowadays, tourists regularly visit the slopes of the Virunga volcano to get acquainted with wild gorillas. Such initiatives replenish the budget of Rwanda with a considerable income. Since this state has realized its benefits, the area where mountain gorillas live is under the strictest protection. Thanks to the work of Dian Fossey, an endangered species has become a real asset to one of the poorest African countries. Over the years, a completely different attitude has formed towards gorillas. Probably, without the selfless, disinterested work of the famous scientist, these primates would no longer be on the planet.

In conclusion

Dian Fossey is a unique individual who has lived next door to mountain gorillas for severaldecades. In addition to fruitful scientific activity, the researcher waged a constant fight against poachers. Her opponents were ruthless people who were not stopped by the fact that only a few hundred of these beautiful animals remained on Earth at that moment. Risking her life daily, Diane managed to become part of the pack of the largest primates on the planet and draw the attention of the world community to the problem of their protection.