Dian Fossey and Primatology and Her Role in Primatology - Term Paper Example

Dian Fossey and Primatology Born in January 16, 1932, Dian Fossey is an all-time American Zoologist who focused on primate research in Africa (Rwanda). Her focus was on the gorillas. She was inspired and facilitated by Louis Leakey who made it possible for her research to move on smoothly. Her story is one that demonstrates passion and dedication to an activity. Her intimacy with the gorillas was a major breakthrough in dispelling myths that are spoken about these primates. In this essay, I will analyze Fossey’s contribution in the gorilla conservation through her documentations and anti-poaching proposition. In addition, a focus on her general role in primatology will be put into perspective. Diana Fossey is a reputable primatologist who did an exceptional work in exploring the precarious gorilla ecosystems as well as the interactions with the local communities. Fossey developed an interest in primate research out of her own interest. She first visited Nairobi, Kenya where she had a spectacular view of a very important part of Africa. She was led to places beyond Kenya, that is to Tanzania, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zimbabwe. On her journey, she met Louis Leakey who introduced her to his works in archeology and expressed to her the need to study the primates. Fossey had an interest in the study of mountain gorillas. Her interest grew further making her to learn the Swahili language as well as study more on primatology. In 1966, she landed to Nairobi after having obtained some funding to conduct her research (Hustad 1). Her journey to study primates was on. In order to create a good rapport with the gorillas Fossey had to establish a mechanism to attract them. In the initial stages, it was difficult to develop closeness with the animals that were probably afraid that their lives might be in danger. This made her develop a systematic approach in the way that she could handle the animals. He did not overlook some of the myths that had been put forward against primates; however, she had done some studies together with visiting the Gombe Stream Research Centre in Tanzania where Goodall was studying chimpanzees. The first approach adopted by Fossey was to mimic the actions made by the animals, an aspect that aroused the attention from the primates. In addition, she thought of making grunting sounds, this assured the animals and the rapport was being created slowly. That was not all, she would go to the length of eating the local plants together with demonstrating a submissive behavior. These were very important psychological aspects that made it possible for the gorillas to come closer to Fossey without any fear. The establishment of the Karisoke Research Center by Fossey was a major breakthrough in her study of gorillas. Despite the establishment of the center between the Mount Karisimbi and Mount Visoke, the gorillas inside the forests were very afraid of humans since poaching was rampant in the region. It was tasking to facilitate the study of the gorillas at close range. There were a number of impediments in the area including the terrain, the thick forests, the tall grass and the presence of other wild animals. However, Fossey did not relent in her quest to understand the more about the gorillas. She was determined, focused and believed nothing could entangle her from achieving a thorough understanding of the primates. Through the establishment of the center, there was a reduction in the trespassers in the region hence poaching slightly declined around that region. She later on, began a campaign against poaching. The center formed a strong background in the research of gorillas and the general primate sciences (Simonetta 1). Fossey’s work in opposing poaching was incredible. She had a point in doing this, if the gorilla were killed through poaching then it means she could not get some animals to study with. In addition, extinction of the animals would result to far reaching implications especially in the future. There would also be an imbalance in the ecosystem resulting that can have undesirable results. The main problem in the Virunga Mountains was that the officers who manned the national park were often bribed by poachers, hence giving them an opportunity to go poaching in the region (Mowat 22). She reported severally to government authorities on the kidnappings especially of gorilla young ones but it feel to dead ears. In the process of taking the young ones, the rebellion by the older gorillas would result to their death. This resulted to massive killings of gorillas. Fossey established a special fund, that was named after her friendly gorilla that was killed by poachers, Digit Fund. This fund facilitated the destruction of poacher’s traps all around the Kasiroke study area. In addition, a number of poachers were arrested and prosecuted. Fossey was concerned so much about the welfare of animals and was in total objection to taking animals to zoos. She felt that animals were not to serve the selfish interests of humans hence there was no need of having animals to be seen by people at the expense of them enjoying staying in their natural habitats. Despite her opposition to confinement of animals, the authorities in Rwanda forcefully exported two gorillas to Cologne in Germany against her will. She was disappointed when the two young were taken to the German zoo. Zoos were centers of animal slavery according to her and needed to be done away with. Her opposition went beyond to proposition that wildlife tourism was not good for the interest of the animals. She argued that diseases such as flu that could be easily spread by humans could affect the gorillas. In addition, she faulted tourism for interfering with her work as well as disturbing the gorillas while in their natural habitats. The initiative developed by Fossey of establishing the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund has aided immensely in the protection of the gorillas as well as facilitating research. Before the establishment of this fund, she had developed the Digit Fund. This was a fund established to control poaching and enhance conservation of gorillas. It happened after Fossey’s favorite gorilla, Digit was killed by poachers in 1977. This was a positive development towards conserving the gorillas from poaching. The fund received much donations and hence it was able to facilitate the anti-poaching strategies including patrols. The focus on anti-poaching was necessitated by the fact that poachers killed some of the gorillas under study such as Digit. The patrols intensified their work in the destruction of poachers’ traps. This must have humiliated them as well as frustrating their efforts. The fund changed its name to Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund that exists even today, taking care of the gorillas and their habitats in Africa. Research on gorillas faced a number of impediments; however, the fruits of Dian Fossey’s research resulted to a number of findings. It was not in vain to remain in the forest for years and still die there, Fossey scientific findings have a made a major contribution to primatology (Mowat 5). Firstly, working with a team of researchers, they helped dispel the myths that gorillas are violent. She developed a close intimacy with the animals since she had an intensive study on their behavior. She did this through observations as well as attempting to communicate with them through various ways; verbally and use of sign language. Secondly, she established that the mountain gorillas that she studied lived in families. She pointed out various similarities with the family setup in humans where the mother is the nurse of the offspring. Thirdly, her works helped in linking up human behavior with that of fellow primates especially the gorillas (Chowdhury 1). These contributions have facilitated greatly in the study of primates and hence the discoveries have been very beneficial in the modern study of primatology. In my opinion, Dian Fosey took a path that is least trodden. Her passion for research has facilitated the realization of several aspects about primate research. She made it possible for other researchers understand the best way of approaching primate research. Her work bore much fruit in the realization that poaching was a threat that could result to extinction of species as well derailing research. Her findings form a strong background of the possibility of taming animals irrespective of their violence. I believe if it were not for her efforts we could still have the perception that gorillas are violent and witty and hence are difficult to handle (Chowdhury 1). In conclusion, Dian Fossey’s research and interaction with the gorillas forms a strong basis of primate research. She has immensely helped in understanding primate behavior as well as helping in conserving the gorillas through the Digit Fund that was later renamed Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The scientific basis of her work has immensely contributed to the scientific discoveries of the behavior of gorillas. In addition, the establishment of the Karisoke Reearch Centre was a major breakthrough in the study of primate sciences. The animals around the Virunga Volcanoes were conserved courtesy of her efforts to eliminate poaching. Works Cited Chowdhury, Sudeshna. "Dian Fossey: What was Her Biggest Discovery?" The Christian Science Monitor: 18. Jan 16 2014.ProQuest. Web. 17 Mar. 2014 . http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/1477881326/5D654254A6CF445APQ/6?accountid=45049 Fossey, Dian. Gorillas in the Mist. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1983 Hustad, Karis. "How Dian Fossey found Humanity among the Gorillas." The Christian Science Monitor: 19. Jan 16 2014.ProQuest. Web. 17 Mar. 2014 . http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/1477881430/5D654254A6CF445APQ/1?accountid=45049 Mowat, Farley. Woman in the mists: The story of Dian Fossey and the mountain gorillas of Africa. New York: Warner Books, 1987 Simonetta, Kathleen. "A Dian Fossey and the Mountain Gorillas." School Library Journal 46.6 (2000): 136. ProQuest. Web. 17 Mar. 2014. http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/211696849/5D654254A6CF445APQ/3?accountid=45049 Read More