All about Dian Fossey

Dian Fossey was an amazing woman who loved animals, especially gorillas. She was born on January 16, 1932 in San Francisco, California. As a child, she always dreamed of being a scientist and studying animals in the wild.

When Dian grew up, she went to Africa to study gorillas in their natural habitat. She spent many years in the forests of Rwanda, where she lived among the gorillas and observed their behavior. Dian wanted to learn everything she could about these incredible creatures.

She faced many challenges while studying the gorillas. Sometimes, it was dangerous because poachers wanted to hurt them. But Dian was brave and fought to protect the gorillas from harm. She even created a special group called the "Gorilla Fund" to help save them.

Dian became famous for her work with gorillas. She wrote books and articles about them, and people from all over the world came to learn from her. She showed everyone how important it is to protect these gentle giants and their homes in the wild.

Sadly, Dian's life was cut short when she was killed in 1985. But her legacy lives on, and her love for gorillas has inspired many others to continue her important work. Dian Fossey will always be remembered as a brave and dedicated scientist who made a big difference in the world of animal conservation.

1. What did Dian Fossey love?
2. Where was Dian Fossey born?
3. Why did Dian Fossey face challenges while studying gorillas?
4. What did Dian Fossey create to help protect the gorillas?
5. How is Dian Fossey remembered today?

A Visit to Rwanda

Hi, my name is Charlie and I am 8 years old. I want to tell you about my amazing visit to Rwanda! It was so exciting to go to a country that is far away from where I live. One of the coolest things about Rwanda is that it is famous for Dian Fossey. She was a scientist who studied gorillas in the mountains of Rwanda. I learned about her in school, so I was really excited to visit a tourist attraction that was influenced by her.

1. First, we went to Volcanoes National Park. It is a beautiful place with lots of mountains and green trees. I felt like I was in a jungle! In the park, we got to see gorillas up close. They were so big and strong, but also very gentle. I remembered what Dian Fossey said about how important it is to protect these amazing animals.
2. Next, we visited the Karisoke Research Center. This is where Dian Fossey used to live and study gorillas. I saw the little cabin where she stayed and the place where she wrote her notes. They even had some of her belongings on display, like her notebooks and her hiking boots. It made me feel like I was walking in her footsteps.
3. After that, we hiked to Dian Fossey's grave. It was a bit sad, but also a way to honor her memory. I learned that she gave her life to protect the gorillas she loved so much. It made me think about how we can all make a difference, no matter how young we are.
4. We also visited the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. This is an organization that continues her work to protect gorillas. They showed us a movie about Dian Fossey's life and the important research they do. I felt inspired to do my part to help save gorillas too.
5. Finally, we had a chance to meet some local children who live near the national park. They taught us some traditional dances and we played games together. It was so much fun! I realized that even though we live in different parts of the world, we can still have a lot in common.

I will always remember my visit to Rwanda and how it made me feel closer to Dian Fossey and her love for gorillas. It was an adventure that I will never forget!

1. What is the name of the tourist attraction that Charlie visited in Rwanda?
2. What did Charlie learn about Dian Fossey's work?
3. How did Charlie feel when visiting Dian Fossey's grave?
4. What organization continues Dian Fossey's work?
5. Who did Charlie meet during the visit to Rwanda?

Dian Fossey Fact Finder

Your Turn...

After learning all about Dian Fossey, your job is to create a timeline of her life. You should add all the important events in her life but you can be inventive and add some interesting things that people might like to read about. You can make it as simply as you like with pen and paper or you can be very inventive and create a 3D diorama or hanging banner. The sky's the limit - go for it!

Slideshow - Dian Fossey
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