I worry that the author of this article seems to leave out key facts about Dian Fossey and her &quot;research&quot;. These facts are unpleasant. Without those facts, the general public, like myself ( before learning of these details), may significantly misunderstand why  why the system (conservation&#x2F;politics&#x2F;charity) has continuously failed gorillas and the people living in the same habitat.<p>Firstly, there&#x27;s the matter of Dian&#x27;s falsified qualifications.<p>&quot;Fossey had failed to gain a degree in veterinary medicine from the University of California at Davis and transferred to San Jose College where she gained a BA degree in physical therapy in 1954. &quot;<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.encyclopedia.com&#x2F;topic&#x2F;Dian_Fossey.aspx" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.encyclopedia.com&#x2F;topic&#x2F;Dian_Fossey.aspx</a><p>She was selected and provided funding despite having obscured and falsified her qualifications. However, this was not unknown to her employer, Louis Leakey. Why he chose her is rather scandalous.<p>&quot;This lack of scientific training did not concern Leakey, who believed women uniquely possessed the patience required for long-term field studies&quot;<p>Why he believed this is perhaps better explained by his actions.<p>&quot;Louis had extramarital affairs and fell ardently in love with his young proteges, chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall and gorilla-watcher Dian Fossey.&quot; <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.publishersweekly.com&#x2F;978-0-684-80192-6" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.publishersweekly.com&#x2F;978-0-684-80192-6</a><p>Then there&#x27;s the matter of Dian&#x27;s horrific racism and actions.<p>&quot;Fossey defended her policy of encouraging the apes to fear black Africans because nearly all poachers were black.&quot;<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;articles.latimes.com&#x2F;1985-12-29&#x2F;news&#x2F;mn-25922_1_karisoke-research-center" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;articles.latimes.com&#x2F;1985-12-29&#x2F;news&#x2F;mn-25922_1_karis...</a><p>&quot;she habitually referred to Rwandans as &quot;wogs,&quot; never in all her time recruited a single black African as a researcher and even burned the crops of neighboring peasants whom she suspected let their cattle graze in the reserve&quot;  <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wsj.com&#x2F;articles&#x2F;SB1015200880517583680" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wsj.com&#x2F;articles&#x2F;SB1015200880517583680</a><p>The sad thing is that this is not unique. For example, WWF&#x27;s leadership has few if any representation from humans who cohabit the regions where species they seek to protect live. Instead, they send what seems to be mostly their college&#x2F;family&#x2F;country club friends to lead these actions. Is it any wonder why these conservation efforts fail so spectacularly when there&#x27;s no emphasis on engagement with the local populace.