Quotes by Dian Fossey

About Dian Fossey:

Dian Fossey was an American zoologist, primatologist, and anthropologist who undertook an extensive study of mountain gorilla groups over a period of 18 years. She studied them daily in the mountain forests of Rwanda, initially encouraged to work there by anthropologist Louis Leakey. Her 1983 book, Gorillas in the Mist, combines her scientific study of the gorillas at Karisoke Research Center with her own personal story. It was adapted into a 1988 film of the same name. Fossey was murdered in 1985; the case remains open.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

There are times when one cannot accept facts for fear of shattering one's being. As I listened to Ian's news, all of Digit's life, since my first meeting with him as a playful little ball of black fluff ten years earlier, passed through my mind. From...

Dian Fossey

One of the basic steps in saving a threatened species is to learn more about it: its diet, its mating and reproductive processes, its range patterns, its social behavior.

Dian Fossey

Gorillas are the largest of the great apes. A mature male may be six feet tall and weigh 400 pounds or more; his enormous arms can span eight feet.

Dian Fossey

When you realize the value of all life, you dwell less on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future.

Dian Fossey

When you realize the value of all life, you dwell on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future.

Dian Fossey

The man who kills the animals today is the man who kills the people who get in his way tomorrow.

Dian Fossey

I had a wonderful contact, especially with Uncle Bert who was an angel and led the whole group over to my side of a steep ravine I could not cross to get over to them.

Dian Fossey

I feel more comfortable with gorillas than people. I can anticipate what a gorilla's going to do, and they're purely motivated.

Dian Fossey

The more you learn about the dignity of the gorilla, the more you want to avoid people.

Dian Fossey

Gorillas are almost altruistic in nature. There's very little if any 'me-itis.' When I get back to civilization, I'm always appalled by 'me, me, me.'

Dian Fossey

It is true that there comes a time when I do literally dream about McDonald's. I dream of supermarkets and drug stores, potato chips and the Sunday morning paper.

Dian Fossey

Author Bio

  • NameDian Fossey
  • DescriptionAmerican zoologist, gorilla researcher
  • BornJanuary 16, 1932
  • DiedDecember 27, 1985
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionAnthropologist; Primatologist; Ethologist; Zoologist; Author; Scientist