Robin S. Doak - Dian Fossey: Friend to Africas Gorillas

Dian Fossey was 34 years old when she left her home and job in Kentucky and moved to Africa. She spent the next 19 years studying mountain gorillas, an . She devoted her life to researching these mysterious creatures, which are some of humankinds closest relatives.

Each day Fossey trekked into the mountains of Rwanda. She spent hours sitting and observing the animals behaviors. Over time the gorillas came to trust and even accept her. She developed strong bonds with a number of the animals and cared deeply about all of them.

The rain forests of the Virunga Mountains are home to the endangered mountain gorilla.

Fosseys research led to increased knowledge about mountain gorillas. She uncovered many new facts about these gentle giants. She brought the gorillas to the attention of the world. Thanks to Fossey, people all over the globe came to know the gorillas she had named Digit, Peanuts, and Uncle Bert. And just like her, people came to care deeply about whether these animals lived or died.

Fossey was not afraid to make enemies to protect her gorillas. She waged war against those who tried to harm the animals. In the end, her .

Dian Fossey brought international attention to mountain gorillas.

Dian Fossey was born on January 16, 1932, in San Francisco, California. Her mother, Hazel, known as Kitty, was a former model. Her father, George, was an insurance agent.

Dians parents divorced when she was a young girl, and George disappeared from his daughters life. She would not see him again for 30 years. Kitty Fossey then married a wealthy businessman named Richard Price.

As an adult, Dian visited her parents in California where she grew up.

Shy and studious as a girl, Dian always felt awkward and ashamed of her height. By the time she was 14, she had grown to be nearly 6 feet (183 centimeters) tall. She got little support or encouragement from her mother. Dian would later remember her childhood with anger and sadness.

An only child who longed for love and affection, Dian turned her attention to animals. At age 6, she began horse-riding lessons. Horses and other animals soon became the center of her world. As she grew older, when she was not busy studying, Dian was often riding horses.

Dian was a tall, intelligent child who adored animals of all kinds. (The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International)

Dian told friends that her parents would not let her have cats, dogs, or other furry pets in the house. But she was allowed to have a goldfish. She remembered:

I cried for a week when I found him floating belly up in the bowl in my room.

A classmate offered her a guinea pig, but her parents refused.

Dian graduated from high school in 1949. She signed up as a , two courses required for future veterinarians. She flunked out of college in her second year.

What would Dian do now? She could not follow her heart and become a veterinarian. But she still wanted to help those who could not help themselves. She turned her focus to children in need.

Dian transferred to San Jose State College and studied . An occupational therapist helps people with physical or other disabilities learn how to lead independent, meaningful lives. Dian hoped to help disabled children by teaching them crafts and other skills. She graduated in 1954.

Dian graduated from San Jose State College in 1954.

After college, Dian worked as an intern (student receiving training) at a number of California hospitals. At one hospital, she helped patients suffering from tuberculosis, a serious disease affecting the lungs. Although she enjoyed this work, Dian wanted to leave California and explore other parts of the country. When she saw a help wanted ad for an occupational therapist in Louisville, Kentucky, she immediately applied.

During the 1950s, better medicines and treatment reduced the number of people suffering from tuberculosis.