Galante 1

Nicole Galante

Professor Krais

HIST 107

14 May 2019

The Success of The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

How often does the human population consider the existence of a particular animal species and how it relates to their world? For the people of Rwanda, who are currently suffering as a community and risking the population of the mountain gorillas, this is a great concern. Research and development dating back to the 1960’s prove that this species is endangered and the environment they inhabit is depleting rapidly. This is a problem for the mountain gorillas and local communities who thrive off of the resources from the environment. Active and intelligent scientist,

Dian Fossey, braved the forest on a mission to study these large creatures. Her ambition and success revealed the beauty of these animals and the terrible conditions they are up against. Further investigation over the years validates her research and exposes the poor circumstances for the people living closely to this wild life. Through international funding and awareness to Rwanda’s struggle, the people and these animals can have hope for a better future. Not all believe this is the solution and perceive these efforts as useless and ineffective. Today, there is heavy concentration in Rwanda that is offering help and continuing to grow. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is successfully protecting wildlife and helping to rebuild local communities despite opposition from those against international funding.

Dian Fossey’s efforts to study and protect the mountain gorillas in Rwanda is the foundation of an organization that becomes largely known worldwide. With the help of many Galante 2 people, Dian Fossey found great success studying the species. She moved to Volcanoes National

Park in Rwanda and on September 24, 1967 established the Karisoke Research Center (“Dian

Fossey”). At the time she was unaware that she had just “launched the beginnings of what was to become an internationally renowned research station eventually to be utilized by students and scientists from many countries” (“Dian Fossey”). In Congo, Africa, she conducted her first long- term field study. Through this experience, she learned the true nature of the species, how to gain their acceptance, and most importantly how to live amongst them. Many research specialists will attest, “meaningful research had to be done within close proximity” (Chowdhury). Her experience with these creatures and the environment proved to be a challenge. It was difficult for her to gain trust from the different groups of gorillas and turning towards the locals was not easy because she lacked the ability to communicate with them, she simply did not speak the native language

(Steklis). Fossey’s determination and persistence was strong. She learned to mimic the behavior of these large, but gentle creatures and soon found herself inhabiting their population. Through her up close and personal studies, she was able to gain an abundance of knowledge and take a stand for these creatures. She became especially close to one of the gorillas from the group and named him

Digit. She had a personal attachment to this particular animal. Due to the threats that many of the gorillas faced, Digit was killed, igniting a rage in Fossey that lead to the development of a funding project that would reach the world. The organization was called The Digit Fund, which was later renamed The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, at the time of Fossey’s death in 1985 (Chowdhury). Due to Fossey’s passion and persistence to be an advocate for these animals she successfully established an international funding project that still exists today.

Fossey’s research, along with other scientists, demonstrate how the endangered species and local communities have suffered and continue to struggle. Rwanda is the smallest country in Africa Galante 3 and the most densely populated. The terrain varies with volcanic mountains, deep valleys, grassland, rivers, and lakes. The environment fit for the mountain gorilla is limited to a small area of forest surrounded by a large population of people. The species population is thinning, averaging less than 1000 in recent studies (Steklis). There are still signs of poachers and trappings left behind by hunters on the land. The impoverished local communities depend on the forest for resources which puts pressure on the small habitat of gorillas. The mountain gorilla is at risk of becoming extinct and the people of Rwanda struggle to provide for themselves. There is also a range of education, health, and economic issues that sweep across the county. It is difficult for the people to help themselves without the support and financial aid from other countries (Steklis). Circumstances for Rwanda will only continue to worsen if research and science does not take the necessary measures to protect and help rebuild the inhabitants of Rwanda.

There are numerous examples demonstrating how The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is successful for both the wildlife and human population. Cutting edge technology has been used to produce better strategies towards the conservation of the gorillas and helping the people. The goal of the organization is to work with the Rwanda government to protect the mountain gorillas and educate the communities on the species and natural resources (“Dian Fossey”). Direct protection is given to save the animals, keep them from going extinct, and stabilize their population. Today,

Karisoke employs armed anti-poaching patrol to protect the gorillas in Rwanda park (“Dian

Fossey”). There are also anti-poaching teams designated to certain areas who patrol and record any illegal activity, such as wood cutting and water collection. There is a specific team assigned to tracking the species. Their job is to locate groups of gorillas and record specific data that is useful for research such as health issues, appearance, and births and death status. Using this information will help develop the best methods to protect the forest, including other species and wildlife, such Galante 4 as chimpanzees and leopards. The Fund will also dedicate aid to rebuilding the local community.

Educational opportunities provided with training are being established to help teach the population.

Health and livelihood programs are being implemented in the organization, targeted at meeting the basic needs of the community. The program is aimed at increasing food alternative, such as growing new crops and raising food animals. This will effectively reduce the pressure being put on the wildlife that is diminishing quickly. In order to provide wealth and commerce all field work at these sites are hired from local communities. Financial aid will also provide the government with the means to have intestinal parasite testing treatment for thousands of people. The people will be given clean water access and have the opportunity to attend hygiene and educational programs

(“Dian Fossey”). The way in which The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund can help the lives of many is not limited to only these strategies and with enough funding will grow and continue to be a positive influence on Rwanda.

There are some opposed to the idea of international funding and will argue that its methods are useless and ineffective. These people may not understand the significance of one affluent country helping a country in need because they cannot see the result of these efforts first hand. The opposition may stem from the idea that the money would be better off spent on issues directly relating to one’s own needs. Controversy rises when people consider the idea that, “aid promotes the unrealistic idea that rich America knows what’s best for poor Africa” (Stoinski). People might say that aid fails to address the heart of the problem and only offers a temporary fix. They believe these poverty-stricken countries will remain the same. Some may argue that handing out money leads these poor countries to complacency and the lack of incentive to improve their conflicting state will leave them asking for more aid. Whether or not international funding is effective or not varies with the conditions and goal set forth by the country in need. “Critics acknowledge that Galante 5 countries providing aid to developing nations do so for the right reason” and genuinely want to help. (“Development Aid”) In regards to The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund there have been many incidents claiming success and promoting continuous aid, showing an increase in economic stability in Rwanda and no further decline in mountain gorilla population.

There is an undeniable connection between the mountain gorillas and human population in

Rwanda that the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund aims to protect. It is through the vast awareness and strong support from the world that this organization is able to help. The mountain gorillas have made their way into homes across the world and throughout America. Thanks to advocates such as

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia DeRossi an additional wildlife fund has been created to offer support to organizations working on behalf of the wildlife conservation. For fifty years the organization has been able to protect the livelihood of these animals and focus efforts towards helping the people of the country. It is tremendous what Dian Fossey began in 1967, and her success is a story that continues to capture the world, bring hope, and live on. Galante 6

Works Cited

Chowdhury, Sudeshna. "Dian Fossey: What Was Her Biggest Discovery?" The Christian Science

Monitor, 16 Jan. 2014. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Accessed 25 Feb. 2019.

"Development Aid: Should wealthy countries continue to give development aid to poor nations?"

Issues & Controversies, Infobase Learning, 22 Mar. 2010,

http://icof.infobaselearning.com/recordurl.aspx?ID=2158. Accessed 4 Mar. 2019.

"Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Breaks Ground on a New Campus for Gorilla Conservation in

Partnership with the Ellen Fund." Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, 12 Feb. 2019,

gorillafund.org/dian-fossey-gorilla-fund-breaks-ground-on-a-new-campus-for-gorilla-

conservation-in-partnership-with-the-ellen-fund-2/. Accessed 4 Mar. 2019.

Steklis, H. Dieter. "Rwanda's Gorillas Face Many New Threats Besides Poachers." New York

Times, 15 Sept. 1994, sec. A, p. 22. ProQuest. Accessed 26 Feb. 2019.

Stoinski, Tara. "Environmental Protection Makes Cents." The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

International, 10 May 2017, gorillafund.org/environmental-protection-makes-cents/.

Accessed 4 Mar. 2019.