Final answer:
Dian Fossey was an American primatologist known for her research on mountain gorillas in Rwanda and her intense conservation efforts, culminating in the creation of the Karisoke Research Center and bringing global awareness to the endangerment of these apes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dian Fossey was a renowned American primatologist and conservationist, famous for her extensive study and conservation efforts of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda. Despite harsh conditions, political upheaval in Uganda, and later in Rwanda, where she faced the challenges of working near conflict-ridden regions, Fossey's groundbreaking research methods transformed the way scientists conducted primatology fieldwork and brought international attention to the plight of the mountain gorillas. Her work highlighted the impact of human activity on great apes and she advocated for stricter anti-poaching measures, leading to the establishment of the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. Tragically, Fossey's passionate conservation efforts were cut short when she was murdered in 1985, a case that remains unsolved, but her legacy continues to inspire conservationists and researchers to this day.