KIGALI - The personnel of Karisoke Research Centre and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, on Thursday, marked 25 years after the death of renowned zoologist, Dian Fossey, who markedly undertook extensive studies about gorillas in the Rwandan volcanic mountains, for eighteen years.

Officially opened by the American Ambassador to Rwanda, Stuart Symington, at Heaven Hotel in Kigali, the function collected over Rwf5 million through auctioning, to support research and training under gorilla conservation programmes.

Katie Fawcett, the Director of Karisoke Research Centre, presented to the guests the life and work of the deceased American environmentalist.  "Over 70 scientists are now working at Karisoke, collecting data everyday, which has benefited several other worldwide organizations,” Fawcett said.

The official added: "We are planning to create a new modern multi-purpose research centre which will, not only improve research, but also offer training to students from various schools.”

The Vice President of The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Juan-Carlos Bonilla, said that Fossey had become one of the biggest icons in animal conservation and played a central role in sensitizing the world about gorillas.
"Mountain gorillas are the only animals not in the decline right now. All this can be attributed to Dian Fossey,” Bonilla said.

Fossey founded Karisoke Research Centre in 1967, where she carried out research on Mountain Gorillas until her death in 1985.

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