Fossey became interested in Africa after seeing photos and hearing about it from her friend Mary White Henry, who had been there. After taking out a loan in 1963, Fossey embarked on a trip to Africa. At Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, Fossey met Dr. Louis Leakey and his wife Mary Leakey while they were examining the area for hominid fossils. Louis talked to Dian about the work of Jane Goodall and the importance of long term research of the great apes, work pioneered by George Schaller. After leaving the Leakeys, Dian saw her first wild mountain gorillas during a visit to Uganda.
By 1966, Fossey had gained the support of Dr. Leakey, and through him, funds to carry out long-term research on the mountain gorillas. She began her field study at Kabara, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire), but by 1967, political upheaval, involving battles breaking out throughout Zaire, forced her to move to Rwanda.
By 1966, Fossey had gained the support of Dr. Leakey, and through him, funds to carry out long-term research on the mountain gorillas. She began her field study at Kabara, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire), but by 1967, political upheaval, involving battles breaking out throughout Zaire, forced her to move to Rwanda.
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