In the Kingdom of Gorillas: Fragile Species in a Dangerous Land

When Bill Weber and Amy Vedder arrived in Rwanda to study mountain gorillas with Dian Fossey, the gorilla population was teetering toward extinction. Poaching was rampant, but it was loss of habitat that most endangered the gorillas. Weber and Vedder realized that the gorillas were doomed unless something was done to save their forest home. Over Fossey's objections, they helped found the Mountain Gorilla Project, which would inform Rwandans about the gorillas and the importance of conservation, while at the same time establishing an ecotourism project -- one of the first anywhere in a rainforest -- to bring desperately needed revenue to Rwanda. In the Kingdom of Gorillas introduces readers to entire families of gorillas, from powerful silverback patriarchs to helpless newborn infants. Weber and Vedder take us with them as they slog through the rain-soaked mountain forests, observing the gorillas at rest and at play. Today the population of mountain gorillas is the highest it has been since the 1960s, and there is new hope for the species' fragile future even as the people of Rwanda strive to overcome ethnic and political differences.

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Required Reading for anyone looking for conservation methods that work, 2007-08-17
This is a great book. Not only does it tell an incredible story. But it also illustrates one of the realities of saving wildlife and habitat. People don't kill wildlife or destroy forests out of spite. They are driven to it for economic reasons; namely, they have no other way to feed their familes. So, in order to change their behaviours, they have to be offered alternatives. The work of Bill Weber and Amy Vetter offered alternatives to Rwandans. Their living standards rose (excluding the effects of genocide and civil war, of course) and poaching and habitat destruction were reduced. A great case study.

But, much more than that, it is also an enjoyable, well written account of the lives and dreams of a great pair of people.


2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

If You're Going To The Gorillas, Read This First, 2007-03-10
Let me start by saying that the only criticism I have of this book is that it doesn't talk about the gorillas themselves, their lives and behavior, all that much. If you want a natural history of gorillas, look elsewhere.

Having said that--this is an excellent book and I highly recommend it, especially if you're going to Rwanda. The book follows the development of the Mountain Gorilla Project from the last years of Dian Fossey's life through the Rwandan genocide and beyond. It is written by the couple who took over the Project after Fossey's murder, and tells their story in fascinating detail. It is a record of the ongoing struggle to maintain a national park in a poor country, of the commitment and hard work of a few people--Europeans, Americans, Rwandans--in difficult and even deadly circumstances, and, most importantly, of the interactions of poverty, politics, personality, corruption, ignorance, education, inspiration, fear, courage, joy and tragedy in the real world of conservation biology.

While this is about one country, one park (mostly) and one species, it will give the reader a much clearer understanding of the diffculties faced by field biologists, park rangers, conservationists and governments the world over who are trying to preserve wild places.

The book is written in a lively, conversational style and makes every effort to be even-handed with some difficult personalities (Fossey's not least of these). Even though the book devotes only a chapter to the horror of the genocide, it presents the events in both a larger context and very personal, affecting detail. In fact, one of the great strengths of the book is its graceful incorporation of the big picture and the snapshot to tell a whole story.

If you're going to Rwanda (or if you've been there)--BUY THIS BOOK!


2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

An honest look at Gorilla history and research, 2007-01-09
Mountain Gorilla conservation and protection is a tenuous, difficult and sad story of the plight of these wonderful, intelligent beings. The truth of Dian Fossey's last years is also painful to digest. This book is forthright and eye-opening.


1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Great Read!, 2006-02-14
I enjoyed reading about the authors' work with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, especially their emphasis on the human aspect of conservation. I think that most scientists are often unwilling to accept the importance of integrating conservation efforts with development goals, for their dedication to the science of it. I know that that was how I felt for the longest time. I no longer feel that way, and reading about the authors' perspective greatly enlarged mine. One critique that I do have with this book is the unnecessary recollection of all the things that were wrong with Dian Fossey following their discussion of her death. Not only was it superfluous, but it also detracted from their credibility as professionals--perhaps they felt that they needed to one-up Fossey for some of the admittedly horrible things that she did to them? I am interested in their opinions about the mountain gorillas, life in Rwanda, the Hutus and Tutsis, but no, not about their personal biases. Otherwise, this was an intriguing read.


2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Inspiring, 2005-11-22

I read this book while on a trip to Rwanda & Uganda to see the mountain gorilla's. It is a magnificent book not just because of the couples work with the Gorilla's in difficult terrain but also because of their initiative to start eco tourism (essential to saving the Gorillas) in the face of much opposition (including Dian Fossey). It is enchanting to read about the high quality of the relationship between the couple and their work with the local people (including the lead up to the chilling Genocide).

I am planning on rereading it.

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