The Karisoke Research Center was founded by Dian Fossey, who was very vocal during her time in the Virunga region between 1967 and 1985. Besides her activism, she studied the primates for many years, and one of her greatest achievements was fighting against poaching and the destruction of their habitat.
She was buried near Volcanoes National Park, and many visitors still visit her grave to pay respects for her efforts to protect the gorillas. Thanks to her work, people today can tour and enjoy the results of her conservation efforts. After her death, the activism continued through an international organization called the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
The center was established to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in the Virunga ranges. It is located between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi, shared by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. However, the 1994 genocide in Rwanda greatly affected the center.
Many workers were displaced, lost their homes and belongings, or were killed. Some fled into exile. During this time, the center was temporarily closed, but a few brave staff members who stayed in Rwanda secretly kept track of the mountain gorillas they could find.
During the genocide years, the Karisoke Research Center had to relocate several times. Scientific research continued in secret, with many researchers working in hiding. The center moved three times.
Because of the destruction of its facilities, relocating and rebuilding in safer areas was necessary. However, this slowed down research due to fewer staff and limited resources. Surprisingly, the gorillas remained in good health and survived the events that caused the loss of many human lives. The ruins of the destroyed buildings are now tourist sites and reminders of Dian Fossey’s work.
Today, the Karisoke Research Center operates in Musanze. After the genocide, its headquarters were moved to this area. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund continues to support the center’s activities. The center attracts people from all over the world, including environmental science students, scientists, and general visitors. Learning about the center’s work is highly educational.
The center monitors the mountain gorillas’ movements using various methods, especially electronic tracking systems, made possible by advancements in technology. It also works with local and international organizations to protect the gorillas from poaching and illegal bush hunting. Another goal of the center is to research better conservation methods to ensure the safety of gorillas in the Virunga region.
The center also trains future environmentalists through internships and graduate programs. Visitors also use the fund to support local communities as part of their corporate social responsibility. The center provides great value to local communities. It has improved healthcare and education in the area by building new structures and repairing old ones.
It has also helped provide safe and clean water to local residents, which is another major achievement of the Dian Fossey Fund. The Karisoke Research Center has made many achievements. It has produced over 300 research publications on animal species and conservation.
This center is an important tourist attraction, and anyone visiting Rwanda is encouraged to include it in their trip. A visit to the center offers a chance to learn new things and gain inspiration.
The center’s efforts are one of the reasons why tourists can still enjoy mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda today. It continues to play a big role in gorilla conservation and improving the Virunga ranges as a habitat for the species. With the challenges of climate change, the center keeps advancing and intensifying its activities. If you are visiting Volcanoes National Park, be sure to include the Karisoke Research Center in your itinerary.
