An Anthropologist in the Mist The scientific study of the origin, the behavior, and the physical, social, and cultural development of humans. Dian Fossey An Anthropologist in the Mist

The Life of Dian Fossey Dian Fossey was born January 16, 1932 and died in December of 1985. Born in San Francisco. Dian graduated from San Jose state college in 1954 with a degree in occupational therapy; she then worked at a children’s hospital in Kentucky for several years. After being inspired by the writings of the American zoologist George b. Schaller, Dian traveled to Africa in 1963. Dian became a famous Anthropologist through her extensive study of gorillas. While in Africa she observed the mountain Gorillas in the wild and visited anthropologist Louis Leakey. Leakey, who believed the study of great apes would reveal secrets about human evolution, encouraged Dian to do a long-term field study of Gorilla’s. Dian received a Ph.D. in zoology from the Cambridge University in 1974. Dian was found murdered in her mountain camp in December of 1985.

From the Start Dian was a second generation English Immigrant on her father's side. Fossey studied as a pre-veterinary student. She switched majors to occupational therapy. She developed an interest in mountain gorillas, and wanted to see them in their natural habitat.

What Did She Do? Studied the social behaviors of Gorillas. She sat among them for 22 years. Raised awareness about the brutal poaching of Gorillas.

How Dian studied the Gorillas She was originally going to Africa to do a census on the gorilla population in the area.(Louis Leaky) She then wanted to get closer to the gorillas, and began to study their behavior as a “society.” She sat among the gorillas and waited until they approached her, she never approached them first. Her work with the gorillas has changed the way animals are studied in the wild. Her observations of gorilla’s behavior, dispelled myths about the mountain gorillas violence.

The Gorilla Fund International The poachers were locals making money off of the hands, heads and feet of the gorillas. The heads were used as wall decorations and hands and feet as ashtrays. She often played with the notion that they thought she was a witch (because of local Black Magic beliefs) and played the role of a witch while interrogating poachers they had caught.

Dian Fossey’s Accomplishments She raised awareness about cruelty to gorillas. She changed the way we study animals “society” and “cultural” behavior. Established the Karisoke Research Center, which was located between Mt. Karisimbi and Mt. Visoke in Rwanda.

Accomplishments (cont.d) Dian was a patient observer of Gorillas in their own habitat. She knew each individual in her study area, and came to know gorillas as gentle, social animals. Dian’s study site, the Karisoke Research Centre, became an international Gorilla research centre in 1967. Dian’s book Gorilla’s in the Mist (1983), goes into great detail of her observations during her many years of research. Dian began studying gorillas in Zaire. Soon she moved to Rwanda, where she started the Karisoke research centre. After living among the gorillas for many years she gained their complete trust. Fossey was the first person to have voluntary contact with a gorilla when one touched her hand. She was able to live among them and play with their young.

Accomplishments (cont.d) Dian became very attached to a gorilla named digit as she watched him grow and he became very fond of her as well. Poachers later killed Digit. Dian found Digit with his hands, feet and head cut off. Due to this atrocious act of poaching, Dian started a campaign against poaching in the area. National Geographic published an article about Dian, and her work with gorillas. The mention about what happened to Digit and the poaching problem in the article caused a large number of donations from the readers. With the money she received from the donations Fossey started the Digit Fund and dedicated her life to saving gorillas. Dian spent 22 years studying the ecology and behaviour of mountain gorillas. Due to Dian Fossey’s contributions research and conservation work, gorillas are now protected by the government of Rwanda and by the international conservation and scientific communities. We now know much more about gorilla’s behaviour and their relationships to humans as a result of her work.

Dian Fossey 1932-1985 “Human beings must decide now whether or not the mountain gorilla will become a species discovered and extinct in the same century.” -Dian Fossey