Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas

Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas is a professor at Simon Fraser University and Professor Extraordinaire at Universitas Nasional in Jakarta, Indonesia. She is the president of the Orangutan Foundation International in Los Angeles, California, an organization she founded in 1986 to support orangutan conservation globally. Galdikas has significantly contributed to the scientific understanding of orangutan behavior, habitat, and diet, and has been actively involved in the advocacy and rehabilitation of orangutans, focusing on the preservation of their rainforest habitat and rehabilitating orphaned orangutans.

Alongside her research and conservation work, Galdikas has authored several books, including "Reflections of Eden" and "Great Ape Odyssey", which offer detailed insights into her experiences and findings from her years of work with orangutans. In 2021, she became a patron of the Ancient Woods Foundation, focusing on protecting old-growth forests in Lithuania. Galdikas was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1995 and received the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement in 1997. Other notable accolades include Indonesia's Hero for the Earth Award (Kalpataru), United Nations Global 500 Award (1993), and the Sierra Club Chico Mendes Award (1992).

Her work has been recognized by various institutions, leading to her being awarded a key to the city of Las Vegas in 2009. Galdikas has also been featured in several documentaries, including "Born to Be Wild 3D", "Nature", "Life and Times", and "She Walks With Apes", further highlighting her commitment to conservation and education. Throughout her career, Galdikas has supervised the field research of almost 100 Indonesian biology students, reflecting her dedication to fostering the next generation of environmental scientists and conservationists.