Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International: Protecting Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International is one of the world’s leading organizations dedicated to the protection and study of gorillas and their habitats. Founded in memory of the legendary primatologist Dian Fossey, the fund continues her lifelong mission to ensure the survival of mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Grauer’s gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through research, conservation, education, and community engagement, the organization stands as a global symbol of wildlife protection and environmental responsibility.
History and Origin
The roots of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund date back to 1967, when Dian Fossey established the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Her groundbreaking research transformed global understanding of gorilla behavior, communication, and social structure. After her tragic death in 1985, supporters and fellow conservationists created the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (DFGFI) to carry on her legacy.
The fund was formally incorporated in the United States and has since grown into a global conservation institution, working closely with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Rwanda National Parks, and other international wildlife agencies.
Mission and Vision
The mission of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is to protect and study gorillas and their forest habitats, while helping people who live near them thrive. Its vision is a future where gorillas, forests, and human communities exist in harmony — ensuring long-term sustainability for both wildlife and people.
The fund’s approach is rooted in Fossey’s philosophy of “active conservation”, which combines scientific research with practical, on-the-ground protection efforts.
Conservation and Research Programs
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund operates several major programs aimed at safeguarding gorillas and their ecosystems:
1. Gorilla Protection
The fund maintains daily monitoring and patrols of gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park. Its trained trackers and anti-poaching teams work with Rwandan park authorities to prevent illegal hunting, remove snares, and protect gorilla groups from human-related threats.
2. Scientific Research
Building on Dian Fossey’s original fieldwork, the Karisoke Research Center continues to collect vital data on gorilla health, behavior, genetics, and ecology. The research findings help guide conservation policy and provide critical insights into the survival of endangered species.
3. Community Engagement
The organization invests heavily in education, health, and livelihood programs for communities surrounding Volcanoes National Park. These initiatives reduce human-wildlife conflict and promote sustainable development. Local people are trained as trackers, researchers, and conservation educators, creating a shared sense of responsibility for protecting Rwanda’s natural heritage.
4. Environmental Education
The Fossey Fund’s education programs reach thousands of students each year through school visits, conservation clubs, and awareness campaigns. They inspire future generations to value biodiversity and understand the importance of gorilla conservation.
5. Habitat Restoration
The organization also supports forest restoration projects, tree planting, and land management programs that help rebuild damaged ecosystems and provide corridors for wildlife movement.
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
In 2022, the organization opened a state-of-the-art facility known as the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund near Volcanoes National Park.
The campus serves as the fund’s new permanent headquarters in Rwanda and includes research laboratories, classrooms, public exhibits, and a memorial garden honoring Dian Fossey’s life and work.
The center provides a modern hub for conservation science, community outreach, and eco-tourism education, strengthening Rwanda’s reputation as a leader in wildlife protection.
Partnerships and Global Impact
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International works hand in hand with a broad network of local and international partners that share its mission of conserving gorillas and their forest ecosystems. These partnerships strengthen field operations, support long-term research, and promote sustainable community development around protected areas in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
The Rwanda Development Board is the fund’s primary national partner, overseeing wildlife conservation and tourism management in Volcanoes National Park. The RDB collaborates closely with the Fossey Fund on daily gorilla monitoring, ranger training, and eco-tourism initiatives. Together, they ensure that gorilla protection aligns with Rwanda’s national conservation strategy and benefits surrounding communities through responsible tourism.
African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)
The African Wildlife Foundation provides technical and financial support to enhance wildlife protection and community engagement. Through its collaboration with the Fossey Fund, AWF helps strengthen anti-poaching operations, habitat restoration, and conservation education in the Virunga region, where human pressure on land and resources remains a major challenge.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
The Wildlife Conservation Society brings global scientific expertise to gorilla research and biodiversity monitoring. Working alongside the Fossey Fund, WCS contributes to long-term ecological studies and policy recommendations that influence conservation decisions across Central and East Africa. Their joint work supports habitat protection and the maintenance of forest corridors critical to gorilla survival.
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution, one of the world’s foremost scientific organizations, partners with the Fossey Fund on advanced research projects involving genetics, disease monitoring, and ecosystem health. This collaboration has deepened understanding of gorilla biology and improved veterinary practices used in the field, ensuring the continued health of gorilla populations.
Universities and Research Institutions
The Fossey Fund maintains active partnerships with leading universities and research institutions worldwide, including those in Rwanda, the United States, and Europe. These collaborations provide opportunities for student training, research fellowships, and academic exchange. Young Rwandan scientists in particular benefit from hands-on experience at the Karisoke Research Center and the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, building the next generation of conservation leaders.
Global Conservation Impact
Through these collaborations, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund has achieved remarkable conservation milestones. Decades of scientific research, anti-poaching efforts, and community outreach have led to a steady increase in the mountain gorilla population, which now exceeds 1,000 individuals across Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This recovery is recognized as one of the greatest success stories in modern conservation — transforming mountain gorillas from a species once on the edge of extinction into a symbol of hope and resilience. The Fossey Fund’s partnerships have also inspired similar programs across Africa, proving that collaboration, science, and community involvement can secure the future of endangered wildlife.
How to Support the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
Travelers, conservationists, and nature enthusiasts can make a real difference by supporting the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. Every contribution directly helps protect endangered gorillas and sustain the mountain forests of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
1. Donate to Conservation Programs
One of the most impactful ways to help is through direct donations. Contributions fund critical projects such as anti-poaching patrols, gorilla health monitoring, scientific research, and education for local communities. Even small donations play an important role in maintaining daily field operations and long-term conservation work.
2. Symbolic Gorilla Adoptions
Supporters can “adopt a gorilla” through the Fossey Fund’s symbolic adoption program. This initiative allows donors to follow the life of a specific gorilla family and receive updates, photos, and information about their well-being. The funds go toward ranger training, veterinary care, and habitat protection.
3. Visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus in Rwanda
Visitors to Rwanda can experience Dian Fossey’s legacy firsthand by touring the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, located near Volcanoes National Park. The campus features interactive exhibits, educational programs, and guided tours that showcase the history of gorilla conservation and the continuing work of the Fossey Fund. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in Rwanda’s wildlife heritage.
4. Participate in Responsible Gorilla Trekking
Tourists can also contribute by participating in responsible gorilla trekking tours organized in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). A portion of each gorilla trekking permit fee supports national park management, conservation programs, and community development. Booking through licensed operators ensures that your visit benefits both the gorillas and local people.
Every act of support — whether through a donation, an adoption, or a visit — helps sustain Dian Fossey’s vision of protecting gorillas and preserving the ecosystems they call home. Together, travelers and conservationists continue to build a future where humans and wildlife coexist in balance and respect.
Support Gorilla Conservation in Rwanda
Help continue Dian Fossey’s legacy of protecting Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.
Your support strengthens research, anti-poaching efforts, and community projects that keep gorillas safe in Volcanoes National Park.
Ways to Help:
- Donate to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
- “Adopt” a gorilla and receive updates on its life
- Visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus in Rwanda
- Join responsible gorilla trekking tours that fund conservation
Every action makes a difference. Together, we can protect the gorillas and forests that make Rwanda a true home of mountain gorillas.
Legacy of Dian Fossey
Dian Fossey’s spirit continues to guide the work of the fund. Her courage, determination, and compassion for gorillas inspired a global movement for wildlife protection. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International not only honors her legacy but also demonstrates how her pioneering work continues to make a real difference, from the misty forests of Rwanda to the conservation community worldwide.
In conclusion, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International stands as a lasting tribute to a woman whose passion changed the course of conservation history. Through education, research, and community empowerment, the fund ensures that the endangered mountain gorillas of Rwanda continue to thrive. For visitors, researchers, and conservation supporters, it represents a living link between Dian Fossey’s legacy and the future of Africa’s most iconic primates.