[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
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.
In practice
This quote can be used in a lecture about wildlife conservation.
[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.
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.
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?
When you realize the value of all life, you dwell on what is past and concentrate more on the preservation of the future.
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.
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.
Climate change is for real. We have just a small window of opportunity and it is closing rather rapidly. There is not a moment to lose.
To dwellers in a wood, almost every species of tree has its voice as well as its feature.
The _x000D_ Earth would die_x000D_ If the sun stopped kissing her.
Three things remain with us from paradise: stars, flowers and children.
There is a muscular energy in sunlight corresponding to the spiritual energy of wind.
When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy, And the dimpling stream runs laughing by; When the air does laugh with our merry wit, And the green hill laughs with the noise of it.
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