Remembering Gorilla Champion Dian Fossey

It's been 20 years since Dian Fossey was murdered in her home at the Karisoke Research Centre in Rwanda. Fossey established the centre in 1967 for gorilla conservation and research, using the media to draw attention to their plight and to raise money to thwart poachers. The 1987 box-office hit Gorillas in the Mist starring Sigourney Weaver, was based on Fossey's own story of her life which was first published two years before her death.

Fossey's work is continued through The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI), which is "dedicated to the conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitat in Africa". In a commemorative article on Fossey, two DFGFI scientists, Dieter and Netzin Steklis, say it all: "What makes Dian Fossey unforgettable, is not only her extraordinary story, but also that she reminds us of how our own character traits -- positively or negatively perceived -- have the potential to lead to remarkable achievements."

Find Out More About Dian Fossey and Her Work:
• DFGFI article honoring the 20th anniversary of Fossey's death
• Biography of Dian Fossey from About's Women's History Guide
• Mountain gorilla FAQ
• Adopt a gorilla