[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
Any observer is an intruder in the domain of a wild animal and must remember that the rights of that animal supersede human interests. An observer must also keep in mind that an animal's memories of one day's contact might well be reflected in the following day's behavior.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Humans should respect the rights of wild animals and be aware of their impact on animal behavior.
This quote emphasizes the importance of respecting wildlife and acknowledging that human presence can disrupt the natural behavior of animals. Observers must understand that their actions can have lasting effects on an animal's perception and response, stressing the need for ethical interaction with the natural world.
Themes
WildlifeRespectObservationAnimal BehaviorHuman Impact
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a wildlife conservation event to highlight the importance of animal rights.
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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