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20 Facts About Dian Fossey: The Gorillas’ Champion

In the mist-covered forest of the Virunga Mountains located in central Africa, an exceptional woman ventured into a mission that would shed more light on our close relatives in the animal kingdom. Dian Fossey was an American conservationist and primatologist famously known for her extensive study on mountain gorilla groups. She was born on the 16^th of January 1932 in San Francisco, California, and was murdered in December 1985. She was intrigued by animals from a young age and developed unyielding love for them. Her interest in animals saw her pursue a career in zoology. She had an encounter with a gorilla, and her trajectory was irrevocable. In 1963, she moved to the Democratic Republic of Congo to venture into the lives of these fascinating creatures. She immersed herself in the study of the behavior and social dynamics of mountain gorillas. Recognizing the threats that faced these animal species such as poaching and habitual destruction, she committed her life to protecting and advocating for their wellbeing. She has since been recognized as the Gorillas鈥� Champion. Walk with us in this article as we discover 20 facts about Dian Fossey, The Gorillas鈥� Champion.

1. Fossey faced rejection as a child and turned to Animals for Acceptance

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Dian Fossey鈥檚 parents divorced when she was barely 6 years old. Her mother was remarried shortly after to a businessman, Richard Price. She could not get in contact with her biological father and therefore she grew up under the care of a stepfather. The stepfather did not take her as his own and never allowed her at the dining table during the meals. She lacked emotional support from a father figure and faced a lot of rejection. She often struggled with personal insecurities and to breach the gap she turned to animals to seek acceptance. She kept pets and grew in love with animals which grew stronger throughout her life. 

Read more on: 15 Interesting Facts about Chimpanzees

2. Dian established the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda

Dian Fossey鈥檚 unyielding love for mountain gorillas was beyond words. In 1967 she established the Karisoke Research Center nestled in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda. She named the research center after two volcanoes in the area called Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi. The research center enabled Fossey to study the behaviors of the gorillas, their ecology, and social interactions. The facility was equipped with various equipment and research facilities to support her research. Karisoke has since played a significant role in protecting the creatures and enforcing anti-poaching laws.

3. She was involved in several anti-poaching activities

Fossey committed her life to protecting the life and general existence of the mountain gorillas. Poaching threatened the survival of these creatures and they were significantly reduced in number. The poaching was driven by the demand for some of the gorilla鈥檚 body parts including their hands and skull. To prevent further damage, Fossey led the ant-poaching patrols in the area. She involved the local communities in the patrol and other activities such as dismantling traps and confiscating poaching equipment.

4. Dian Fossey lived in a tent in the Virunga Mountains

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Dian Fossey spent her days in a small tent located in the rainforest. This enabled her to be closer to the gorillas and allow her to study their diet and behavior closely. The tent was made from canvas and had a few basic supplies that she needed for her research. However, living in the tent was not easy as she had to deal with the harsh weather, wild animals, and insects. Her determination and unwavering sacrifice to study this creature was out of this world. Despite the struggles she went through, she created connections with the gorillas and became one of the world鈥檚 renowned experts on mountain gorillas.

5. She used very aggressive methods to protect Gorillas

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Fossey was deemed to be very vocal and aggressive in her methods to protect the gorillas. She protected the gorillas against poaching which was a notorious act at the moment and the destruction of their habitats. She often used unconventional methods to deter poachers such as burning their snares and other measures. She worked closely with the local authorities to track down the poacher and impose severe punishment on the culprits. She also set traps to catch the poachers and employed guards to patrol the forest at night.

6. Dian kept a goldfish as a pet which triggered her love for Animals

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Dian Fossey was sparked by a love of animals at a young age. As a child, she kept a goldfish as a pet. She grew closer to the goldfish and loved to watch it swimming and play in the water. This experience ignited her love and passion for animals. She became passionate about animals and went on to study zoology until she fell in love with mountain gorillas. She created a special connection with the gorillas and she dedicated her life to protecting and creating awareness of the plight of gorillas.

7. Fossey was murdered in her Cabin in 1985

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Fossey鈥檚 murder was very tragic and shocked the world. It was devastating how a passionate primatologist who was determined to create a better understanding of the mountain gorillas would be brutally butchered in her cabin. She was found murdered in 1985 with her body full of multiple stabs. Her murder has, however, never been resolved and nobody has been found guilty since. Her untimely death was such a loss to the conservation community but her efforts are evident to date.

8. Her book 鈥淕orillas in the Mist鈥� was turned into a Movie in 1988

Dian鈥檚 love for the mountain gorillas was beyond mere words. Just to talk more about these creatures, she wrote the book, 鈥淕orillas in the Mist鈥� published two years before her death. The book was made into a movie in 1988 where Sigourney Weaver starred as Fossey in the film. The movie has gone a long way to raise awareness of the plight of the gorillas as well as provide insight for people to take care of these adorable animals. The book is also recognized globally and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama.

Also see: 15 Most Influential Zoologists

9. Fossey had a strong bond with one Gorilla named Digit

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Fossey established a strong bond with one of the mountain gorillas鈥� called Digit. Digit was an adult male gorilla that Fossey first encountered in 1967 during her early days of research. They both had a deep connection and Digit became his favourite gorilla. She continued to observe him closely and he became part of his major research work. Over time, Fossey developed deep emotions for Digit and often described him as his friend. Their relationship did not last for long as poachers murdered Digit in 1977. His death was devastating to her research career.

10. Fossey established the Digit Fund in honor of her Favourite Gorilla

The death of Digit was tragic and left a gap in her research work. His death fuelled her determination to fight against the poaching of gorillas and illegal hunting. In this spirit and determination, she established the Digit Fund to help support the anti-poaching efforts.  The fund has helped increase the population of gorillas in the mountains as well as put measures to protect the animals.

11. She was buried in a Gravesite next to her favorite Gorilla 鈥淒igit鈥�

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Dian Fossey was murdered in her cabin in 1985. She was buried in Rwanda next to the gravesite of her favorite gorilla, Digit who had been killed by poachers back in 1977. The gravesite is located near the Karisoke Research Center in Virunga Mountains. The grave has over the years become a tourist attraction where people can go to pay their respect to Fossey.

12. Fossey was the first scientist to study Gorillas in their Natural Habitats

Fossey was the pioneer in Primatology. She was the first person to study mountain gorillas while in their natural habitats. She was able to live closely with the animals and monitor their behaviors and interactions. Having studied these amazing creatures, Fossey helped to spread awareness about the need to protect the gorillas. Her research is a great inspiration to the generations after her.

13. Her work helped save the Mountain Gorilla from Extinction

The mountain gorillas were on the verge of extinction but thanks to Dian Fossey for her exceptional work to protect these fascinating creatures. Out of her efforts to ensure continuity of life and protection from poachers, currently, their population has doubled. At the time when Fossey came to Africa to learn more about mountain gorillas, they were largely poached and their body parts sold. However, she was able to come in and revert to the problem.

14. Dian Fossey Gorilla Funds has helped Double the Gorilla Population

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The mountain gorillas are an endangered species that was slowly coming to extinction because of poaching and the destruction of the habitants. However, Fossey鈥檚 efforts to ensure the survival of these species have born tremendous results. Since her death, Dian Fossey Gorilla Funds helped to reduce deforestation, educate the locals on the need for gorilla conversation as well as reduce poaching. It is a leading organization in saving mountain gorillas from extinction and helping increase in population.

15. She used Gorillas鈥� Noses to tell Them Apart

Dian Fossey gave different names to the gorillas she natured and researched with. Some of the names she gave to the gorillas were Digit, Rafiki, Uncle Bert, and Peanut among others. Fossey noticed that every gorilla had a unique pattern of wrinkles around the nose area. She used unique patterns to tell them apart for ease of identification.

Check out: 10 Crazy Facts About Monkeys

16. Dian Fossey was a Prize Winning Equestrian

 Dian Fossey鈥檚 love for animals can be traced back to her childhood. She was intrigued with horses at a young age and she began riding horses when she was just six years of age. She grew to sharpen her skills and began competing in the horse races. She went on to compete in the horse shows and she won several accolades. She managed to bag the California State Championship in 1954. It is the love of horses that also shaped her career as a primatologist.

17. She Uncovered the true nature of Gorillas

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Dian Fossey鈥檚 research work unfolded the true nature of gorillas. The mountain gorillas were seen to be violent and very dangerous to human beings. However, Fossey鈥檚 research showed contrary results to this belief. Her research showed that gorillas are intelligent and very gentle. She also studies their interactions and showed that they are social creatures that live in families. They are our close cousins and they need protection and care. The study has helped us to view these creatures differently and allowed us to interact with them in a better way.

18. Fossey spent her life saving for her first trip to Africa

Fossey鈥檚 love for animals was beyond words. She was determined to see her dream of studying these adorable creatures in their natural habitats come true. She sold all her belonging, left her paying job, and used all her savings to go to Africa. She was not familiar with the place and she never had connections to anyone. She risked all she had, just to see her dreams come true. Unknown to her, this trip became her turning point, and was able to achieve her dreams and change the life of these creatures as well.

19. Her first Expedition was cut short after an attack by Poachers

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Dian Fossey鈥檚 success story is not one that came without its burden of challenges. Giving her life to protect and study these creatures, meant putting her life on the line for these animals. On the very first day of her research in the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, poachers attacked her.  Her determination to do the research was however not deterred as she went back to continue her research work. She became very vocal in advocating for the need for gorilla conservation.

20. Dian Fossey was a Controversial Figure

Fossey was a very passionate primatologist and yet very controversial. She was very determined and passionate about mountain gorillas. She was very aggressive with the poachers and was not afraid to use physical force to confront them. Other conservationists often criticized her for her aggressiveness but she claimed it was necessary to end poaching in the area.

Dian Fossey was a figure to be reckoned with for her exemplary work in ensuring the conservation of mountain gorillas. Her efforts to protect the mountain gorillas have since eradicated the threat of extinction. Thanks to her efforts the numbers of the nearly extinct species have now doubled. Her legacy will forever impact generations to come and form the basis of further studies and research on these peculiar species.