Dian Fossey- American Ethologist.

Which animal species did this researcher study and where? She studied mountain gorillas in the Rwandan mountain forest in Africa
How long did she spend studying this species? From the 1960s to the '80s
What size social group do these species generally live in and what is it's structure? Their social groups can range from 5 animals to 50 animals, the average group is made up of 10 gorillas. It is usually made up of one dominant silverback, who is the group's leader; another subordinate silverback (usually a younger brother, half-brother, or even an adult son of the dominant silverback); one or two blackbacks, three to four sexually mature females, who are ordinarily bonded to the dominant silverback for life; and from three to six juveniles and infants.
Describe two examples of behaviour that she observed in the species that people did not know before. She found out that if she copied the gorillas behaviour they would accept her as one of them. She also found out that gorillas are actually very gentle. She learned to 'Habituate' the gorillas.
Explain why these observations could not have been made in controlled experimental conditions. These observations could not have been made in controlled experimental conditions because the gorillas would be to scared. They would most likely all stick together and not let anybody else into their group. They wouldn't find an accurate representation of the way that these gorillas were acting because they wouldn't be in their natural habitat.

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