Birute Galdikas

Birute Galdikas is a Lithuanian-Canadian primatologist. She was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1946. She has spent over 50 years studying orangutans in the rainforests of Borneo. She is one of the world's leading experts on these amazing apes.

Early Life

Galdikas grew up in Toronto, Canada. She was fascinated by orangutans from a young age. She studied at the University of California, Los Angeles. There, she met Louis Leakey, who helped her begin her orangutan research.

Orangutan Research

In 1971, Galdikas went to Borneo to study wild orangutans. She set up Camp Leakey in the Tanjung Puting National Park. She discovered that orangutans are solitary animals with long childhoods. She also started a rescue and rehabilitation center for orphaned baby orangutans.

Fun Facts

• Birute Galdikas is one of three famous primatologists called 'Leakey's Angels,' along with Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey.
• She has studied orangutans for over 50 years, longer than any other primate study.
• Her rescue center has returned hundreds of orangutans to the wild.

Did You Know?

Birute Galdikas raised orphaned baby orangutans in her own home. Some of them even learned to do simple tasks like sweeping the floor.