Dian Fossey

Dian Fossey (* 16. January 1932 in San Francisco; † 27. December 1985 in the Karisoke Research Centre, Rwanda) was an American Zoologin and Verhaltensforscherin. It was specialized in the research of gorillas. It became known to a broad public,as its life under the title „gorillas in the fog “with Sigourney Weaver in the main role one filmed.

lives and working

Dian Fossey was by occupation Ergotherapeutin. Into thatearly 60's traveled it for the first time to East Africa, where it had its first meetings with gorillas.

1966 met it at a congress in the USA the paleontologist Louis Leakey, which supported her in her plans. On behalf that national geo graphics Societyit went to Rwanda, in order to accomplish a long-term study there over the mountain gorillas (gorilla gorilla beringei) of the Virunga volcanos. She should study their behavior and determine the exact population size in the unclear wet forests living animals.

Owing to its large patience and perseverance it becamein the course of the time of the gorillas accepts. Even the oldest silver backs (= male guidance animal of a family federation) permitted their ethologischen studies. It succeeded to it to show in films like the mountain gorillas it also affected and even with it communicated, to her the young animals entrusted orthey in their lap to sleep left. For many years she observed the groups of gorillas and thus arrives to it new, unknown views of their family structures, behaviors as well as communication behavior. Dian Fossey lived under heavy conditions, for “its” gorillas was it however always ready, everything to be done. It organized Parkwächter,destroyed traptrap traps and employed studies over the different groups of gorillas and their relations. To reread this is also in its well-known book “gorilla in the fog “(gorilla into the muck).

In experts it national owing to their documentary films and article in the magazine were geo graphics soon admits. 1976 received it after successful thesis their doctor title.

With its professional colleagues was it not much likes. Completely the thing of the gorillas used up, it was not received compromises. It fought against Wilderer and for the preservation of the Rwandese national park. It mobilized again and again alltheir forces, in order to convince the world public of the fact that the protection of the gorillas is necessary.

In December 1985 it was found with an hit head in its hut in the Karisoke Research Centre. Until today the murder could is not cleared up, one assumed however that DianFossey was killed by Wilderern, there it against these radical proceeded and them the trade with gorilla meat among other things to forbid wanted. Fossey was buried accordingly their desire at the gorilla cemetery, which she had put on in the proximity of her research station. There also from Wilderern the killed was Gorilla digit, their favourite buried among the gentle giants.

In the year 1988 under the direction by Michael Apted the feature gorilla in the fog after the book „gorillas into the muck “by Dian Fossey one turned. The main role of the Dian Fossey played Sigourney Weaver. She received OSCAR - a nominating in the year 1989 for this role. The film was distinguished with that golden Globe.

See also: Jane Goodall

publication

• Dian Fossey: Gorilla into the muck. ISBN 061808360X

literature

• Wil Mara: Dian Fossey: Among the gorillas. 2004. ISBN 0446387207
• Farley Mowat: Woman into the of muck: The story OF Dian Fossey and the Mountain gorilla OF Africa. ISBN 0446387207

Web on the left of

• http://www.unmuseum.org/fossey.htm (English)
• http://www.gorillafund.org
• entry to Dian Fossey in FemBio, the woman biography Mrs. (inclusive Literature data andQuotations)