Memorable Quotes from Iain Cuthbertson
3 quotesChallenges in Gorilla Research and Conservation
Dian Fossey
March 23, 1967. "Dear Dr. Leakey, Sembagare and I are doing our best to track the gorillas. We're covering a lot of ground, but making very little progress. The only guide we've got is Schaller's book. So far, we haven't had any luck. I'm not discouraged, but I'm starting to think I'll spend my six months in ] without ever seeing any.
[voiceover; [Africa]
Dr. Louis Leakey
April 22nd. Dear Miss Fossey, surely you didn't expect the beggars to come out and line up so you could count them. These animals are being methodically wiped off the face of the ]. They hold a clue to the way man adapted to his environment. That's why it's essential we discover...
[voiceover; [Earth]
Dian Fossey
I know that. I'm not an imbecile.
Dr. Louis Leakey
I know you're not an imbecile, but we must remember the elementary steps one overlooks in situations like this.
Dian Fossey
Maybe I'm just no good at this. Six weeks. Six whole weeks, and not a single gorilla... Shit. Shit. I sat in shit. Oh, my God. It's gorilla spoor.
Dr. Louis Leakey
And it's fresh.
Dian Fossey
It most certainly is.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Journey Begins Amidst Travel Fatigue
Dian Fossey
You mean we go now?
Dr. Louis Leakey
Yes, to make it by sundown.
Dian Fossey
Dr Leakey, I just spent 35 hours on 4 different airplanes. I should at least take a shower.
Dr. Louis Leakey
No one will mind dear.
Dr. Louis Leakey
There. I've put something in there for you.
Dian Fossey
Thank you, that's very nice of you. You forgot the rest of my luggage.
Dr. Louis Leakey
No room. They'll be sent up next fortnight with the rest of the gear.
Dian Fossey
Now wait a minute! I quit my job, left my fiancé, to say nothing of my appendix, and flew halfway around the world. Those cases contain my hairdryer, my makeup, my underwear, and my brassieres. If they don't go, Dr. Leakey, I don't go.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Selecting a Tracker for the Expedition
Dr. Louis Leakey
Choose your man.
Dian Fossey
What?
Dr. Louis Leakey
Your top man. Your tracker.
Dian Fossey
You speak English? The priest?
Sembagare
Saint Christopher. Patron saint of travellers, and me too.
Dian Fossey
What's your name?
Sembagare
Sembagare.
Dian Fossey
Sem-ba-ga-re.
Sembagare
I am the finest tracker. This man is not as good as me. Him is a great liar. Me - I'm the best.
Dian Fossey
Okay, okay. Sembagare, you're on.
Sembagare
Thank you.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.