[About gorillas] You take these fine, regal animals. How many (human) fathers have the same sense of paternity? How many human mothers are more caring? The family structure is unbelievably strong.
Dian FosseyRead
[My] excursions provided a unique opportunity for observing [the gorillas' behavior] in their natural habitat... Then, all too soon, the infants were demanded for their trip to the zoo. ... [H]appily the babies did not know they would never see their mountain home again
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the bittersweet experience of observing gorillas in the wild before they are taken to captivity.
Dian Fossey's quote highlights the contrast between the beauty of observing gorillas in their natural habitat and the sorrow of their impending removal to zoos. It underscores the innocence of the gorilla infants, as they are unaware of the loss of their home, emphasizing the impact of human intervention on wildlife and the importance of conservation.
Themes
GorillasHabitatConservationNatureWildlife
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a lecture about wildlife conservation.
More from Dian Fossey
All quotes →Active conservation [of gorillas] involves simply going out into the forest, on foot, day after day after day, attempting to capture poachers, killing-regretfully-poacher dogs, which spread rabies within the park, and cutting down traps.
Dian FosseyRead
If mountain gorillas are to survive and propagate, far more active conservation measures urgently need to be undertaken. The question remains, is it already too late?
Dian FosseyRead
When you realize the value of all life, you dwell on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future.
Dian FosseyRead
My study of the wild gorilla is not yet finished, and even when it is complete, it will contribute only a small part toward man's understanding of his closest animal relatives, the great apes. But one conclusion is already clear: The gorilla is one of the most maligned animals in the world.
Dian FosseyRead
The mountain gorilla faces grave danger of extinction - primarily because of the encroachments of native man upon its habitat - and neglect by civilized man, who does not conscientiously protect even the limited areas now allotted for the gorilla's survival.
Dian FosseyRead
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