Karisoke Research Center is located in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, and was established by Dian Fossey on the 24th of September 1967; the center was created to study the life of mountain gorillas.
In Rwanda, the Virunga volcanic mountain is located between Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi; the name “Karisoke” was combined out of the two mountains.
Karisoke later on moved its headquarters to a modern facility in Musanze.
Dian Fossey founded the Karisoke; she feared for the life of the mountain gorillas that they might become extinct by the 20th century. During the census of the mountain gorillas, there were a total of 242 individuals.
Since then, 45 years have passed and there are 480 mountain gorillas inhabiting the Virunga Mountains.
Rwanda Genocide
During the war in Rwanda, a number of staff members at the Karisoke research center became refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Karisoke trackers lost their homes and possessions in war; the family members were some murdered and imprisoned when they were returning to their home.
The center was destroyed three times and rebuilt two times; the last time was when it was relocated to Musanze.
Karisoke continued to upgrade for scientific research; the improvement was through new technology and a conservation organization.
Mountain gorillas survived the war years in good condition; this led to an increase in the number of snares that were set for poachers.
The Karisoke Research Center continues to operate even in the absence of Dian Fosse.
Current
Karisoke Research Center is one of the world’s best projects to study the survival of endangered mountain gorillas and their critical habitat. Due to this conservation, the mountain gorillas of the Virungas are the most significant ape species and have increased in number.
Karisoke protects and monitors the mountain gorillas since its establishment in 1967, when there were numerous research projects and development centers producing an unparalleled amount of information.
Karisoke has helped economically for the people who live near the Gorillas; it has employed more than 200 staff members, with a significant majority of whom are Rwandan.
Mountain gorillas participate in biodiversity research, health at the center, and education. Fossey supports have helped in renovating schools and health clinics that are near the park to support the local people in the area.
