Our Mission: The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International is dedicated to the conservation, protection and study of gorillas and their habitats in Africa. Our successful, integrated approach includes close collaboration with local governments and communities as well as partners from around the world.
Our 50 years of successful conservation work in saving gorillas is based on a holistic model with four key parts: direct, daily protection of gorillas; scientific research on gorillas and their ecosystems; educating the next generation of scientists and conservationists in Africa; and helping local people with basic needs, so that communities can thrive and work together with us.
In 1967, Dr. Dian Fossey founded the Karisoke™ Research Center in Rwanda’s Virunga mountains to protect and study the endangered mountain gorillas. Although Fossey’s life was cut short, her work has continued through the Karisoke Research Center and grown into conservation efforts for other wildlife and programs for people who live near the gorillas.
Please visit GorillaFund.org to learn for ways to help save the gorillas. You can donate, adopt a gorilla, travel on a gorilla expedition to the research center, or eat some Gorilly Goods!
Secrets in the Mist is a three hour series airing on the National Geographic Channel. The series tells the story of the life, work, murder and legacy of Dian Fossey.