Biruté Galdikas

Birute Galdikas is the Jane Goodall of orangutans. Like with Jane (but 10 or 11 years later), Birute was recruited by Louis Leakey to do field work. So in 1971, Birute and her husband Rod headed to Borneo to study orangutans. Once they arrived, they found that – although illegal – people also kept orangutans as pets. Birute decided immediately that she wanted to also start a sort of nursery/sanctuary/rehab where these once-captive orangutans (mostly infants) could come, then head back to the wild when they were ready. And as with all great apes, the habitat is disappearing around them, making it very difficult for them to survive, so Birute and Rod also tried to get help creating and enforcing the boundaries of the reserve that held many of the orangutans.

The book was published in 1995 and at that time, Birute was still in Borneo doing her orangutan studies. The book also goes into detail about Birute’s personal life – her marriage(s) and children. I’ve read lots about Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey, but except for one graphic novel that included all three, this is the first I’ve read about Birute. Her book alternates chapters between some of the orangutans and the other topics in the book (though, of course, they all overlap). Very good book, but know that there is a lot more to this one than “just” the animals.… (altro)

Galdikas reviews and shares her early experiences studying orangutans, partically the struggles at the beginning. Great detail is placed within the first 7 years and the first wild oranguatans and ex captives that she meets. Not to mention the transition into Indonesian culture and values. After a point she quickens the pace and summarizes where she is now (1995) in her studies and conservation efforts. Overall a fantastic read that I had a hard time putting down. I took my time so as to fully experience this book and have great respect for Galdikas and the other primatologists mentioned- who took great risks to become not just researchers but also great ape conservationists.… (altro)