Birutė Galdikas

Birutė Marija Filomena Galdikas, OC (born 10 May 1946), is a primatologist, conservationist, ethologist, and author of several books relating to the endangered orangutan, particularly the Bornean orangutan. Well known in the field of modern primatology, Galdikas is recognized as a leading authority on orangutans. Prior to her field study of orangutans, scientists knew little about the species. Galdikas was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, to Lithuanian parents. She later became a naturalized Canadian and grew up in Toronto, Canada. In college she studied psychology and biology. In 1966, Galdikas earned her bachelor's degrees in psychology and zoology, jointly awarded by the University of British Columbia and the University of California, Los...