One of the most legendary scientists of our time Dr. Dian Fossey forever changed our perception of gorillas. She faced and overcame many obstacles and ultimately gave her life to gorilla protection. Honor her memory with VAKOVAKO and donate to save gorillas.
Although Fossey’s life was cut short, her work has continued through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and has grown into conservation efforts for other wildlife in Rwanda and DR Congo, extensive scientific research and education efforts, and community development programs for the people who live near the gorillas.
She studied mountain gorillas daily in the mountain forests of Rwanda, initially encouraged to work there by world-renowned paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey. In September 1967, Dr. Dian Fossey established the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda’s Virunga mountains and set in motion one of the longest-running studies of any animal species anywhere in the world. Her focus, courage and passion have inspired many conservationists who have followed since. And her legacy lives on today, in the gorilla protection, science, education and people programs of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
Gorillas in the Mist, a book published two years before her death, is Fossey's account of her scientific study of the gorillas at the Karisoke Research Center and prior career. It was adapted into a 1988 film of the same name with Sigourney Weaver as the leading role.
She paid with her life for the protection of gorillas
Dian was murdered in Rwanda a few weeks before her 54th birthday. Her body was found in her cabin on the morning of Dec. 27, 1985. Theories about Dian Fossey's murder are varied but have never been fully resolved. She was laid to rest in the graveyard behind her cabin at Karisoke next to her favorite gorilla, Digit.
"When you realize the value of all life, you'd well less on what is past and concentrate on the preservation of the future." — Gorillas in the Mist
Get involved and honor the memory of Dr. Dian Fossey. Donate now!
You will financially support the conservation activities of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. A globally recognized organization founded in 1967 by Dr. Dian Fossey.
