Life

Born on 16 January 1932 in San Francisco, California, United States, Dian Fossey’s parents were separated since she was young. The reason was due to her father’s heavy drinking and involvement with the law. She moved on to stay with her mother who remarried later on. Fossey loved animals since she was young, but was unable to show it due to her stepfather’s strict house rules.

Fossey aspired to be a veterinarian and was enrolled as a pre-veterinarian medical student at the University of California in 1950. However, she failed her second year and transferred to San Jose State College instead. She graduated with a degree in occupational therapy in 1954 and received a Ph. D. in Zoology based on her research in Africa at the Cambridge University in 1967, after setting up the Karisoke Research Center.

During her younger years, Fossey lived on a farm on the outskirts of Louisville. There, she spent time with livestock. However, she was not contented and wanted to explore Africa. Fossey’s desire to learn more about gorillas was triggered by the book, “The Year of the Gorilla”, by George Schaller, a zoologist.