Dian Fossey by Giuli

Dian Fossey

Childhood

● Dian Fossey● Fairfax, California● Jan 16, 1932● loved pets● suffered from asthma● Mom: strict, nice - Dad: alcoholic● parents divorced when she was 6● grew up mom and stepfather, Richard

Price

Highschool/College

● Lowell High School● started business course at College of Marin● then went to University of California, Davis

for pre-veterinary studies and failed● attended San Jose State College for

occupational therapy● received her bachelors degree in 1954● began her career as an occupational

therapist● moved to Louisville, Kentucky and worked

with crippled children

Interest in Africa

● wondered about Africa● wanted to go there● took a loan of $8,000 to go to Africa in 1963● loved Africa● met Dr. Leakey● saw the mountain gorillas, wanted to study

them● wrote a letter to Dr. Leakey to offer to work

for him

On the lookout for mountain gorillas

● got a letter back● was offered the job● was jokingly told to take her appendix out

and did it● then Dr. Leakey knew that he had found his

"gorilla girl"

Letters

Back in Africa

● returned to Africa, Congo in 1966● met Dr. Leakey briefly● was given a map ● got 4 workers● received a 1 year work permit● went to the weekly market for supplies● headed for camp● workers set up tents, while Dian settled into

her cabin

Finding Gorillas

● looked for 6 weeks, no sign of gorillas● stepped in fresh gorilla poop● knew they were close● found the gorillas .............● immediately wrote to Dr. Leakey● was happy to hear about her success

Gorillas

● met the gorillas● learned a lot about them● very nice animals with beautiful faces

Studying Gorillas

National Geographic

Civil War

● civil war in Congo● camp taken over by rebels● driven out to Rwanda in 1967● wrote resignation letter to Dr. Leakey● thought about living on the Rwandan side of

the mountain where there was no civil war● held back the resignation letter

Lover

● National Geographic photographer, Bob Campbell

● falls in love● gives her a dog● films the gorillas● leaves [times 3]● comes back [times 2]● is sent to a different assignment

Publicity

● is filmed by National Geographic several times starting in 1968

● camera crews from around the world film the gorillas

● in 1978 her work and the gorillas are shown on the Life on Earth show on the BBC

Doctorate

● needs a doctorate degree to obtain money for her research

● starts studying for a Ph.D. at Cambridge University in England in 1970

● goes back and forth between Rwanda and England to finish her doctorate in zoology based on her gorilla research

● hates to be away from her gorillas● receives her Ph.D. in 1976

● gorilla friend● have some sort of connection● hold hands● digit is killed by poachers

Digit

Poachers

● people that kill gorillas for their head and hands

● sell them for lots of money

Fight against Poaching

● traced poaching to very high places● was told to leave Rwanda in 1980● taught and lectured in the US● returned to Rwanda in 1983

DeathOn December 27, 1985 Dian was killed doing what she loved. Her death remains a mystery.

She was buried next to Digit, her favorite gorilla.

The End

The EndAny questions?