Posey, whom the Rwandans called Nyiramachabelli - which means the woman who lives alone on the mountain is known throughout the world for her heroic struggle to preserve, protect and research the mountain gorillas
The life of Dr. Dian Fossey (January 16, 1932 San Francisco - December 26, 1985 Rwanda) was full of challenges and successes. Posey, whom the Rwandans called Nyiramachabelli - which means the woman who lives alone on the mountain is known worldwide for her heroic struggle to preserve, protect and research the mountain gorillas.
As the founder of the Digit Foundation (later renamed the International Gorilla Foundation after Diane Posey), her initial commitment to wildlife conservation, especially mountain gorillas, manifested itself in an impressive career spanning two decades.
Posey's initial interest in animals and her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian led her to the College of San Jose. There she changed her specialty to occupational medicine, however, her love for animals never waned and at the same time she also became interested in Africa. In 1963, during a short sabbatical of six weeks in Africa, Posey met Dr. Lewis Leakey, who spoke of the urgency of the need to study the great apes. Under Leakey's supervision, Posey agreed to begin a long-term field study of the mountain gorillas.
In 1966, Posey won the support of the National Geographic Company and the Wilkie Brothers Foundation for a research program in the Congo (then Zaire). Due to the political instability and coups in Zaire, Fossey left the country and moved to Rwanda. In 1967, she founded the Krisoka Research Center in the National Park of Volcanoes in Rwanda, Parc National des Volcans, which lies between two volcanoes - Krisimbi and Visoka.
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For many years, Fossey continued her research from her base in the mountains at an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level. She battled her fear of heights on steep slopes and faced diseases, heavy rains, poachers and 'witches'. However, her tireless efforts in returning gorillas to the wild were successful when an adult male gorilla, whom she named Pintos, touched her hand. This gesture was the first recorded peaceful encounter between a gorilla and a human.
The in-depth observations and research of the mountain gorillas over thousands of hours generated new insights and information for the scientific community. Her commitment also earned her the complete trust of the mountain gorillas she studied. Although personally caring for each gorilla, she became especially attached to a young male gorilla named Digit. In 1977, their relationship was tragically terminated when unauthorized hunters killed the young gorilla. She began a campaign to bring the poachers to justice with the help of magazines, led by National Geographic. This coverage brought the mountain gorillas into the global spotlight. Shortly after Digit's death, she founded the fund that bears his name and collected funds for the protection of the gorillas.
In 1983, Posey published her book "Gorillas in the Mist" describing her life and work in Cariosque. The book became a world bestseller. A film based on the book was released in 1988. The film, in which Sigourney Weaver played Posey, was a success and helped draw public attention to Posey's work.
A year later, Posey was killed, almost certainly by the same poachers in her carousel trailer. The name of the Digit Fund was changed after her death to the International Gorilla Fund after Diane Posey. In the years since then, her legacy has grown through the foundation's programs dedicated to the conservation and protection of gorillas in their habitats in Africa.
The Rwandan politician and businessman Protei Zigirnirazo, the main suspect in the eyes of Rwandans was never prosecuted in the case. He was one of the defendants at the war crimes court in The Hague in the genocide of the Tutsi tribe in Rwanda by the Hutus but was acquitted on the basis of doubt after serving one year in prison.
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For wildlife conservation // Posy's initial interest in animals and her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian led her to college // where she changed her major to medicine – typos