The Thylacine Queen

Dian Fossey was an American zoologist and primatologist who dedicated her life to studying and protecting the mountain gorillas of Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains. Starting in 1966, she spent 18 years living among these primates, forming close bonds and observing their behaviors in unprecedented detail.

Fossey was not just a researcher; she was a fierce advocate against poaching, an issue that had led to significant declines in gorilla populations. Her dedication to conservation brought her into direct conflict with local poachers and even park authorities, as she often interfered with their activities to protect the gorillas.

Fossey’s methods were controversial. She sometimes confronted poachers directly, setting up anti-poaching patrols and even burning their equipment. Her fierce protection of the gorillas earned her many enemies among those who profited from poaching.