Dian Fossey

Renowned primatologist who dedicated her life to protecting mountain gorillas in Rwanda.

Dian Fossey (1932–1985) transformed wildlife conservation through her 20-year study of mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Virunga Mountains. Defying gender norms and academic skepticism, she immersed herself in gorilla habitats, earning the trust of these elusive primates and documenting their social structures.

Fossey's book, 'Gorillas in the Mist', exposed the brutal realities of poaching and habitat destruction. She founded the Karisoke Research Center in 1967, which became a hub for anti-poaching patrols and community education. Her aggressive tactics against poachers, including burning traps and confronting hunters, saved countless gorillas but also made her enemies.

Tragically, Fossey was murdered in 1985, a crime still unsolved. Her legacy lives on through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, which continues conservation efforts. Fossey’s work elevated gorillas from feared creatures to global symbols of endangered wildlife, inspiring documentaries like 'Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey'.

Her unyielding passion and unconventional methods redefined field biology, proving that individual activism can drive global change.