Biruté Mary Galdikas - A Life Among Orangutans

From Origin Stories by The Leakey Foundation

March 31, 2026 · 31 min · Episode 92

About this episode

This episode honors the life and work of Biruté Mary Galdikas, a pioneering orangutan researcher.

Biruté Mary Galdikas passed away on March 24, 2026, at the age of 79. She spent more than 50 years studying orangutans in Borneo and fighting to protect them. Before she began her work, orangutans were the least understood of the great apes. She changed that. Her research formed the foundation of what we now know about orangutans. She was the first to learn what they ate, how they lived, how they moved, their long interbirth intervals, and so much more. Including the many threats to their survival. Her lifelong dedication inspired generations to care about orangutans and their forests, and to pursue careers in the field she helped shape. ⁠ I had the honor and privilege of interviewing Birute Galdikas in 2021, on the fiftieth anniversary of her study. We're re-releasing this episode in her honor. Links: Orangutan Foundation International Ways to get involved In Memory of Dr. Biruté Marija Filomena Galdikas: A remembrance by primatologist Erin Vogel Origin Stories is a project of The Leakey Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding human origins research and outreach. Support this show and the science we talk about. Your donations will be matched by the Ann and…

People in this episode

Guest: Biruté Mary Galdikas

Topics covered

orangutans
conservation
primatology
research
Borneo
wildlife protection

Keywords

orangutans
Borneo
conservation
primatology
wildlife
research
great apes

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Orangutan Foundation International, The Leakey Foundation