Amy went to Rwanda (a country in east-central Africa) in 1978 determined to learn about mountain gorillas and keep these animals from becoming extinct. Not only did Amy help save the mountain gorillas, she had the adventure of a lifetime. She even became the honorary member of a gorilla family!

Amy spent a year and a half climbing the slopes of volcanoes while observing Group 5—a family of wild mountain gorillas. Amy recorded the gorillas' movements and the foods they ate. The gorillas were also curious about Amy! The youngsters—Pablo, Muraha, Tuck, and Poppy—would often tug at her bootlaces, pick at her freckles, and steal her backpack. One day Ziz, an 8-year-old, pounded on Amy's back inviting her to play and knocked the wind out of her!