Dian Fossey was an American researcher who dedicated her life to the protection of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Although she was not originally trained as a zoologist and suffered from health problems, she founded the Karisoke Research Centre in 1967 and became deeply involved in studying and defending gorillas whose habitat was threatened by poachers.
Through years of patient observation, Fossey learned to communicate with gorillas by imitating their behaviour and gained their trust. Her work helped change the public image of gorillas from violent animals to gentle and intelligent creatures. Her research attracted international attention, especially after David Attenborough featured her work in the BBC series Life on Earth.
Fossey strongly opposed poaching and became increasingly radical in her methods, sometimes confronting and intimidating intruders. While her actions brought worldwide awareness to gorilla conservation, they also created enemies. On 26 December 1985, she was murdered in her cabin in Rwanda. The exact reasons and people responsible for her death remain uncertain, but many believe she was killed because she blocked illegal activities linked to poaching and smuggling.
Vocabulary:
• Poacher - A person who hunts animals illegally
• Habitat - The natural home of an animal or plant
• Extinction - The complete disappearance of a species
• Intimidate - To frighten someone to control them
• Smuggling - The illegal movement of goods across borders
• Radical - Extreme in actions or beliefs
• Intruder - Someone who enters a place without permission
• Machete - A large, heavy knife
Source: BBC