The Primatologist Dian Fossey Met A Tragic End
The Extraordinary Life And Sad End Of Dian Fossey
Dian Fossey was one of history's most famous primatologists—but she met the most disturbing end possible. This is her unforgettable story.
She Had A Dark Childhood
Dian Fossey connected so well with animals—and the reason why can be traced all the way back to her heartbreaking childhood. Born in 1932, her troubles began pretty early.
She Had A Broken Family
When Fossey was just six years old, her parents' divorce turned her world upside down. Her mother Helen was instrumental in keeping her father George out of her life, despite his failed efforts to remain involved. When Helen remarried, she introduced a new man into her daughter's life—a stepfather named Richard Price.
She Had An Awful Stepfather
Unfortunately, Price was a horrible stepfather to young Fossey, forbidding her from joining the family dinners and raising her so strictly that she grappled with her sense of self-worth. In his eyes, she would never be his real daughter. Faced with such a stunning void of affection, Fossey found comfort in a surprising source.
She Loved Animals From The Start
In the company of animals, Fossey discovered her ideal safe space. The pet that started it all? A small goldfish—a wriggling piece of sunshine that opened her heart to all kinds of living creatures. She soon learned that though humans could be callous and cold, animals welcomed her into their lives without judgment.
This, of course, was only the beginning.
