Dian Fossey

Dian Fossey (January 16, 1932 - December 26, 1985) was an American ethologist interested in gorillas, completing an extended study of several gorilla groups, observing them daily for years in the mountain forests of Rwanda. Initially encouraged to work there by famous paleontologist Louis Leakey, her work is somewhat similar to Jane Goodall's with chimpanzees.

Related Topics:
January 16 - 1932 - December 26 - 1985 - Ethologist - Gorilla - Rwanda - Paleontologist - Louis Leakey - Jane Goodall - Chimpanzee

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She was born in Fairfax, California, but grew up in San Francisco, California. She earned her bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from San Jose State College (currently known as San Jose State University) in 1954. She moved to Kentucky to work at a hospital, and at the invitation of a romantic beau, she began thinking about visiting Africa in 1957.

Related Topics:
Fairfax, California - San Francisco, California - Bachelor's degree - Occupational therapy - San Jose State University - 1954 - Kentucky - Africa - 1957

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In 1963, she finally had secured the financing for her trip. While in Africa, she met Dr. Leakey and saw her first mountain gorilla. She created the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda in 1967. She then attended the University of Cambridge, where she received a Ph.D. in zoology in 1974.

Related Topics:
1963 - Karisoke Research Center - 1967 - University of Cambridge - Ph.D. - 1974

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She was found murdered at the age of 53 in the Rwandan province of Ruhengeri in 1985. Current evidence suggests that her murder was masterminded by Protais Zigiranyirazo, former Governor of Ruhengeri, who is also known for his creation of the death squads that resulted in the deaths of over 800,000 Rwandans in 1994.

Related Topics:
Rwanda - Ruhengeri - 1985 - Protais Zigiranyirazo - 1994

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Her memoir "Gorillas in the Mist" was turned into a film ' starring Sigourney Weaver as Fossey. The film is based on Fossey's life and work in Africa. The written work covers her scientific career in much greater detail, and omits some material on her personal life, notably an affair with photographer Bob Campbell that was a major plot point of the movie.

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More recently, the Kentucky Opera Visions Program, in Louisville, has written an opera about Dian Fossey. The opera will premiere in the spring of 2006.

Related Topics:
Kentucky Opera - Louisville

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