Dian Fossey

My name is Dian Fossey, and I spent my life getting to know one of the world's most magnificent and misunderstood animals: the mountain gorilla. My story begins far from the misty mountains of Africa, in San Francisco, California, where I was born on January 16th, 1932. From a very young age, I felt a deep connection to animals. I was fascinated by them and dreamed of one day becoming a veterinarian so I could spend my life caring for them. Life, however, doesn't always follow a straight path. When it was time for me to choose a career, I studied to become an occupational therapist, a job where I helped people recover from injuries. I began working in this field in the 1950s, and while I enjoyed helping my patients, a different dream was always in the back of my mind. It was a dream of the vast, wild continent of Africa and the incredible creatures that lived there. That dream never faded; it only grew stronger with time.

By 1963, I knew I couldn't ignore the call of Africa any longer. I made a bold decision. I took out a loan and gathered all of my life's savings to fund my very first trip to that amazing continent. The moment I arrived, I was in awe of the enormous, open landscapes that stretched as far as the eye could see. During my travels, I had the incredible opportunity to meet the famous scientist Dr. Louis Leakey, who studied human origins. But the most life-changing moment of my journey happened when I hiked deep into the Virunga Mountains. It was there, surrounded by lush green forests, that I had my first encounter with a family of mountain gorillas. Seeing these powerful, yet gentle, giants in their natural home was an experience that touched my soul. I watched them as they moved through the forest, cared for their young, and interacted with one another. In that moment, I knew I had found my purpose. That first glimpse set me on a new path, one that would define the rest of my life.

With the encouragement of Dr. Leakey, who saw my passion, I returned to Africa in 1967. This time, I wasn't just a visitor; I was there to begin a long-term study of the mountain gorillas. I traveled to the mountains of Rwanda and established my research camp high up in the misty slopes. I named it the Karisoke Research Center. Living there was not easy, and studying the gorillas was even harder. They were shy and fearful of humans because of their experiences with poachers. To earn their trust, I had to be patient. I began a slow process called habituation, where I would sit near them for hours every day, imitating their sounds like grunts and coughs, and even mimicking their behaviors, like scratching and chewing on celery stalks. Slowly, over many months, they began to accept my presence. I started to recognize them as individuals, each with a unique personality. I gave them names and learned the complex dynamics of their families. One of them, a curious and playful young silverback, captured my heart in a special way. I named him Digit.

The more time I spent with the gorillas, the more I understood the grave dangers they faced. Their home was threatened, and they were hunted by poachers who set traps in the forest. My work soon shifted from being just a scientist to being their protector. My world was shattered one day in 1977 when I discovered that my dear friend, Digit, had been tragically killed by poachers while defending his family. My heart was broken, but my grief turned into a fierce determination. I knew I had to do more to fight for the survival of his species. In 1978, I established the Digit Fund to raise money for anti-poaching patrols to protect the gorillas. I realized that the world needed to know about these gentle giants and their struggle, so I decided to write a book. In 1983, my book, 'Gorillas in the Mist,' was published. In it, I shared my story, my research, and my deep love for the gorillas, hoping to become a voice for these voiceless creatures.

My life was dedicated to the study and protection of the mountain gorillas, and my work came to an end at my research camp in December 1985. I lived to be 53 years old. I was buried at Karisoke, in the gorilla graveyard I had created for my beloved gorilla friends, right next to Digit. But my work did not end with my life. The Digit Fund, which I started all those years ago, grew into an organization now called the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. It continues my mission to this day, protecting the gorillas and their habitat. Because of these dedicated efforts, the mountain gorilla population, which was once on the brink of extinction, is slowly growing. My hope for their survival lives on through the people who continue to fight for them. My story shows that one person's passion can make a world of difference.