Dian Fossey - Wonderful Woman No. 47

Dian Fossey - 1932-1985
American Primatologist, Conservationist and Writer

Like many people, my first introduction to the life of Dian Fossey came from watching Sigourney Weaver's portrayal of her in the 1988 film biopic Gorillas in the Mist. I was so moved by the film that Dian's name has stayed with me ever since, she really was a truly remarkable woman, who lived and died by her principles.

Dian first arrived in Africa in 1963. She spent time travelling around the continent, taking in the wildlife and archaeology before eventually finding herself in Uganda. It was here, in Uganda, that she first encountered wild mountain gorillas. On returning to the United States, she published a number of articles about her time in Africa.

Dian returned to Africa and began an 18 year long study of gorillas and made important discoveries about the lives of the rare primates, including details of their social hierarchy and behaviour, vocalised communication (which she imitated and used), diet and a number of other previously unknown facts. She ingratiated herself with the gorillas and was able to form relationships with the animals. In 1970, Dian was pictured on the front cover of National Geographical Magazine, this brought her international celebrity and brought gorillas as gentle, intelligent creatures into the minds of the general public.

The more you learn about the dignity of the gorilla, the more you want to avoid people.
Dian Fossey

Whilst carrying out her study, Dian did a lot in the campaign to conserve the habitat of the mountain gorillas, she also opposed tourism in the area, as gorillas are able to contract illness from humans. A large part of Dian's lifework was defending the gorillas against illegal poachers who hunted and killed the animals as their meat is considered a delicacy and their feet and hands were turned into macabre souvenirs, their infants taken and sold. Dian organised patrols of the reserve and was pivotal in the arrest of many poachers.

In 1978, Dian's favourite gorilla, Digit was killed and mutilated. Subsequently, Dian founded an appeal in his name to raise funds for anti-poaching patrols. As deaths of gorillas Dian had formed bonds and relationships with continued, Dian's work became more focussed on the prevention of poaching than it was on scientific research. She was militant in finding and stopping poachers, employing fierce tactics such as arson, intimidation, capture and humiliation of those involved. Dian repeatedly clashed with local officials, who she felt did not take the necessary measures to protect the animals.

In 1985, in her bedroom, Dian was murdered and mutilated in a sustained attack. The murder weapon was a machete which she had previously confiscated from a poacher. She was buried alongside Digit and close to other gorillas killed by poachers.

She believed in her cause right until the end. She was passionate and determined. And she gave her life in the fight for what was right. And for that, she was really quite wonderful and someone I will have a huge respect for always.