Gorilla Stuffed Animals and Dian Fossey

Gorilla Stuffed Animals and Dian Fossey

Gorilla Stuffed Animals and Dian Fossey

The great thing about gorilla stuffed animals is that they're big, bulky, and very huggable, just as plush toys should be. Of course, there is always the option of purchasing a smaller gorilla stuffed animal, but why would you want to?

In her undergraduate work Dian Fossey studied as a veterinarian student, but went on to spend seven years in a Louisville, Kentucky hospital as the director of occupational therapy. She developed an interest in mountain gorillas and was very interested in seeing them in their natural habitat. In 1963, she went on a week long safari to the Congo in Africa, where she was able to first visit mountain gorillas. It was here that she also met renowned paleoanthropologist Dr. Louis Leakey.

Following her trip to Africa, Fossey returned to the United States and her job at the Kentucky hospital. Upon attending a conference where Dr. Leakey was going to be, Fossey convinced him to sponsor her in her efforts to do research on gorillas despite the fact that she knew she had no background or experience in biology, anthropology, or zoology. The Wilkie Foundation, which was a supporter of Jane Goodall and her study of chimpanzees, eventually gave Fossey a grant which enabled her to return to Africa. In 1966, after resigning from the Kentucky hospital, she was supported by National Geographic in her gorilla endeavors.

In 1967, between two volcanic mountain ranges Mt. Karisimbi and Mt. Visoke in Parc des Volcans in Rwanda, Dian Fossey's gorilla research center was established. The park was within 10 miles of Uganda close to the border of Zaire. Over time, anti-poaching patrols were set up there so Fossey could stop the illegal killing of gorillas. Other research scientists also came to the Fossey center so they could study different aspects of gorilla biology.

For 22 years, Dian Fossey sat within just a few feet of mountain gorillas, observing and studying them. Her work with them forever changed the way animals were studied in the wild and dispelled myths about the violence mountain gorillas were seemingly known for. Fossey was murdered in 1985, allegedly by the very poachers she was trying to protect the gorillas from. Her murderer was never been apprehended.

Gorilla stuffed animals really lead a life of leisure as compared to the real thing. With a roof over their head, a warm place to sleep, and all the love and attention one could ever hope for, a gorilla stuffed toy never has to worry about whether or not they will survive another day. It's too bad we can't say the same thing about the mountain gorillas of Rwanda.

gorilla stuffed

large stuffed animals

Copyright Shelley Vassall, 2010. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.

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