Think socializing is difficult as a human? Female gorillas may also have similar feelings.

It can be nerve-wracking to go to a new school, workplace or social event, right? Our new study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, reveals that adult females may feel the same way. Females do not choose to transfer groups randomly, but instead rely on the familiarity of gorillas they know to decide what group to join next. “Being able to study dispersal, to track not only where individuals are from but also where they go, and to construct their whole social history in such detail, is only possible because of decades of data collection,” says Dr. Tara Stoinski, president and CEO/chief scientific officer of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and a co-author on the study. This study is now receiving a large amount of international press, and represents a remarkable scientific achievement for our researchers at the Fossey Fund and partners at the University of Zurich!

Is Rwanda on your bucket list?

Between visiting our state-of-the-art Ellen Campus, trekking to encounter gorillas, and experiencing the unmatched natural beauty of Rwanda’s mountainous landscapes, visiting this incredible country is truly a trip like no other.

1️⃣ Travel with the Fossey Fund. Join us from February 28 – March 7, 2026 for an unforgettable journey through Rwanda and Kenya, guided by our CEO and fearless leader, Dr. Tara Stoinski – a world-renowned conservationist with more than two decades of experience in Africa. Limited to just 14 guests, this once-in-a-lifetime adventure will take you deep into the heart of conservation.

2️⃣ Have a scheduling conflict? You can still make your dream a reality by booking through one of our preferred travel partners. These fabulous partners are passionate about sustainable ecotourism and can help you plan the adventure of your dreams.