Join Cerys Deakin this World Orangutan Day as she explores the key people working to protect these majestic apes!
Resident orangutan at Dudley Zoo and Castle (04/04/2024). Pic Credit: Cerys Deakin
Despite being close relatives of humans, orangutans have some quirky characteristics that set them apart from the other great apes. These characteristics include a willingness to eat with their feet, their lovely orange locks, and an interesting taste for a rotten, smelly fruit – durian.
An orangutan with two baby orangutans at Dudley Zoo and Castle. Pic Credit: Cerys Deakin
Orangutans have been the focus of many animal lovers recently after a scientific report demonstrated that one of these animals had self-treated a facial wound. The orangutan in question, known as Rakus, went viral on social media for the new documented behaviour and has brought this majestic species into the spotlight once again!
Orangutans are an iconic keystone species, integral to the wider workings of ecosystems and particularly efficient seed dispersers. In spite of this, they are classified as critically endangered and there is high urgency for the implementation of conservation solutions to ensure a future for these animals. Threats facing the orangutan include the destruction of habitats, illegal logging, palm oil production and poaching.
Baby orangutan at Dudley Zoo and Castle (04/04/2024). Pic Credit: Cerys Deakin
However, hope is not lost! There are conservationists, scientists and supporters across the globe working to conserve and preserve these animals and their habitats. I am here to shed light on the woman who shaped research into and conservation of orangutans.
Dr Biruté Mary Galdikas. Pic Credit: Simon Fraser University via Wikimedia Commons
Dr Biruté Mary Galdikas is a world-renowned conservationist who dedicated her career to orangutans. Despite being met by doubt from her peers and professors, Galdikas followed her passion and, within four years of her first project, she was published in National Geographic. This put the spotlight on orangutans and their conservation for the very first time. Since then, Galdikas has given hundreds of lectures, published countless papers and has shared her knowledge and passion far and wide. This inspiring scientist shaped research into the orangutan and will forever be known for her passion for the orange ape.
Dr Galdikas and her husband also created the Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) alongside her work at Camp Leaky in Borneo. The foundation aims to study the behaviour and ecology of orangutans, in addition to conserving these animals and their habitats. The OFI was able to begin only with the help and contributions of local people, enabling a variety of different sectors such as education, conservation, research and outreach to be focused upon within their work. Media coverage of the foundation enabled its huge growth into the organisation it is today.
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