Canadian primatologist Biruté Galdikas, a leading expert on orangutans and a dedicated conservationist, has died at the age of 79. Galdikas passed away in Los Angeles on March 24, 2026, after battling lung cancer. She was the last surviving member of the "Trimates," a group of female primatologists that included Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey, all mentored by anthropologist Louis Leakey.
Born in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1946 while her parents were en route to Canada from Lithuania, Galdikas spent her childhood in Toronto. Inspired by the book "Curious George," she dreamed of becoming an explorer. She studied at the University of British Columbia before transferring to UCLA in the United States, where she earned degrees in psychology, zoology, and anthropology.
In 1971, Galdikas began her groundbreaking field study of orangutans in Borneo, Indonesia, establishing "Camp Leakey" as a research and rehabilitation center. Her work significantly expanded scientific understanding of orangutan behavior, diet, and social structures. Galdikas founded the Orangutan Foundation International in 1986 to support orangutan research and conservation efforts. Throughout her career, she advocated for the protection of orangutans and their rainforest habitat, which faces threats from logging, palm oil plantations, and mining. Galdikas's dedication earned her numerous accolades, including the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement and Officer of the Order of Canada. She also served as a professor at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia.
Galdikas's legacy extends beyond her scientific contributions. She inspired generations of scientists and conservationists and her work continues to guide efforts to protect orangutans and their habitat.
