Fossey inspired a strong conservation movement and much research, but until now geneticist had to rely on hair and stool samples to collect DNA. Early studies suggested the animals suffered from a low genetic diversity and extensive inbreeding, making them highly susceptible to extinction. However, that DNA was not of high enough quality to enable a complete genome analysis.
After sequencing the genome of the more populous western gorilla 3 years ago, the geneticists involved approached conservation organizations for help getting blood samples from the much rarer eastern gorillas. Michael Cranfield, a veterinarian at the University of California, Davis, and co-director of one organization called Gorilla Doctors, and his colleagues provided samples from blood collected while treating injured animals or dissecting dead ones, including Kaboko.