Dian FosseyDian Fossey

Scientist Scientist

Jennifer LeaderJennifer Leader

Why Dian Fossey deserves to Why Dian Fossey deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.be in the Hall of Fame.

Dian Fossey studied animal behavior – particularly of mountain gorillas Dian Fossey studied animal behavior – particularly of mountain gorillas in Africa.in Africa.

Through her work Dian showed that gorillas were not as bad as people Through her work Dian showed that gorillas were not as bad as people thought and this helped save them from being killed and from thought and this helped save them from being killed and from becoming extinct. becoming extinct.

Dian Fossey got closer to gorillas than anyone had previously ever Dian Fossey got closer to gorillas than anyone had previously ever done.done.

She learned how to communicate with the gorillas and when to be She learned how to communicate with the gorillas and when to be aggressive and when to be nice to the gorillas so she wouldn’t frighten aggressive and when to be nice to the gorillas so she wouldn’t frighten them. them.

With her developing these methods other scientists are able to get With her developing these methods other scientists are able to get closer to gorillas and study how they relate to humans. closer to gorillas and study how they relate to humans.

Dian’s work also promoted preservation of animals’ natural habitats, Dian’s work also promoted preservation of animals’ natural habitats, instead of housing animals in artificial habitats like zoos.instead of housing animals in artificial habitats like zoos.

Dian Fossey’s childhoodDian Fossey’s childhood

Born: San Francisco, California in 1932 on January Born: San Francisco, California in 1932 on January 16th 16th

Passion: Dian loved animals. Growing up she had a Passion: Dian loved animals. Growing up she had a goldfish but, then when the goldfish died she never goldfish but, then when the goldfish died she never got another pet.got another pet.

Getting StartedGetting Started On Dian’s first trip to Africa she met a On Dian’s first trip to Africa she met a

man named Louis Leaky. man named Louis Leaky.

After spending some time in Africa with After spending some time in Africa with the gorillas Dian moved back to the gorillas Dian moved back to Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville, Kentucky.

Three years later Louis came to town to Three years later Louis came to town to lecture. At his lecture he said he wanted lecture. At his lecture he said he wanted a single woman with no scientific a single woman with no scientific training to work with gorillas in Africa. training to work with gorillas in Africa. Louis believed thatLouis believed that “Women are “Women are stronger and more observant than stronger and more observant than men.men.““

After meeting with Louis, Dian got the After meeting with Louis, Dian got the

job. job.

Other Interesting Info on Dian Other Interesting Info on Dian

One day Dian found Digit, her One day Dian found Digit, her favorite gorilla, killed by a favorite gorilla, killed by a poacher! poacher!

After that she started a After that she started a campaign against gorilla campaign against gorilla poaching. poaching.

Even though Dian is no Even though Dian is no longer living, her campaign is longer living, her campaign is still helping gorillas in Africa still helping gorillas in Africa today.today.

Dian FosseyDian Fossey

Dian loved animals dearly and she took that love Dian loved animals dearly and she took that love and decided to help gorillas. Dian will always be and decided to help gorillas. Dian will always be remembered by animal lovers so I hope that you, remembered by animal lovers so I hope that you, National Inventors Hall of Fame, will see that too National Inventors Hall of Fame, will see that too and put Dian Fossey, my scientist, in the hall of and put Dian Fossey, my scientist, in the hall of fame as well.fame as well.

BibliographyBibliography

Website Website ““Dr. Dian Fossey Biography”. Dr. Dian Fossey Biography”. The Dian The Dian

Fossey Gorilla Fund.Fossey Gorilla Fund. 1999-2009. The Dian Fossey 1999-2009. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. 15 Oct. 2009 Gorilla Fund International. 15 Oct. 2009 http://www.gorillafund.org/dian_fossey/dian_fossey_life.phphttp://www.gorillafund.org/dian_fossey/dian_fossey_life.php

BookBookDian Fossey. Dian Fossey. Gorillas in the MistGorillas in the Mist. Boston : Houghton . Boston : Houghton

Mifflin Company, 1976Mifflin Company, 1976