A tribute to Birutè Galdikas

Birutė Galdikas was from a Lithuanian farming family who fled their country around World War II to seek refuge in Germany, then Canada. She would become one of the first scientists to study orangutans in depth. Her work on behavior, natural habitat, and diet helped shed great light on this great ape species.

In 1971, she established an orangutan observation center in Tanjung Puting National Park, Indonesia. She helped create and implement many research and conservation projects dedicated to these animals. In 1986, she founded the Orangutan Foundation International, active in the United States, Indonesia, Australia, Canada, as well as the United Kingdom. An emblematic figure in global conservation, Birutė Galdikas devoted nearly 55 years of her life to studying and protecting orangutans in their tropical forest habitat. She inspired millions, spreading her message that humanity is an integral part of nature, and that protecting it is essential to our own survival.

Birutė Galdikas’ passing signifies the end of an era: she was the last of the “Trimates,” also called “Leakey’s Angels,” a group of pioneers she formed with fellow researchers Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey, who studied chimpanzees and gorillas respectively. Under the guidance and support of paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey, these three women greatly contributed to our understanding of these species the closest to humans in the animal kingdom and, through them, of ourselves. Birutė Galdikas will live on in memory for her remarkable determination and her passion for protecting the only great ape in Asia, the orangutan. She often highlighted how close they are to our ancestors having never left their “Garden of Eden” (the title of her book): their tropical forest.

Her actions in Indonesia involved and supported hundreds of people, most of them from local Indigenous communities, who, in collaboration with the Indonesian forestry department, continue her work in orangutan rehabilitation, research, and forest protection. Her legacy continues through her organization, the Orangutan Foundation International (OFI), as well as a recently created Indonesian foundation, led by her son, Frederick Bohap Galdikas, who is carrying forward this essential mission. In the heart of Borneo’s tropical forests, after half a century spent observing orangutans in their natural habitat, Birutė Galdikas wished to share a message she considered essential: “Without spirituality, research can never succeed.”

Written by La Société Francophone de Primatologie

Photo credit: Vytautas Magnus University’s website

Passing of Jane Goodall

A Remembrance by Prof. Michael Wilson :

Professor Michael Wilson reflects on the renowned primatologist’s influence and ability to connect with people : https://cbs.umn.edu/blog-posts/remembering-jane-goodall

Passing of Professor Frans de Waal

Frans de Waal (1948-2024): Visionary primatologist,

influential author, and beloved mentor

Frans de Waal revolutionized our understanding of primate society by illuminating the

complex social structures and emotional lives of our closest living relatives. Through

both clever empirical studies and keen theoretical insights, his work was pivotal in

elucidating the nature and cognitive foundations of peacemaking, justice, and morality.

His research challenged prevailing notions of human uniqueness, demonstrating striking

similarities between humans and our primate cousins in terms of empathy, cooperation,

and social intelligence. Sadly, Frans passed away on March 14, 2024, leaving behind a

profound legacy that continues to shape our understanding of our place in the animal

kingdom.

Born in the Netherlands in 1948, Frans developed a lifelong passion for the natural

world from a young age. He obtained his Ph.D. in biology from Utrecht University in

1977, where he began his groundbreaking research on the behavior and social

dynamics of primates. Frans’s pioneering studies on chimpanzees at Arnhem Zoo in the

Netherlands (and later, Emory University’s Yerkes National Primate Research Center in

Atlanta, Georgia), revealed the vital role of cooperative and peaceful behavior in primate

social relationships. His discovery of behaviors like reconciliation (friendly reunions

between former opponents shortly after conflicts) and consolation (post-conflict

affiliation involving a third party) demonstrated how group members manage and

mitigate the negative effects of aggression. His focus soon broadened from aggression

and post-conflict behavior in apes and monkeys to consider various aspects of prosocial

behavior (e.g., cooperation, altruism, fairness), social emotions, and cultural

learning—topics he’d further explore with students and collaborators in other taxa

including elephants and rodents. His research approach was characterized by a deep

respect for individual animals and patient observation, allowing him to discern nuances

in their behavior that eluded others. His creative studies addressed bold questions that

took animals’ subjective perspectives and experiences seriously, enriching our

understanding of their social, cognitive, and emotional worlds.

Alongside an impressive body of empirical work were his major theoretical contributions.

Frans influenced not just natural and social scientists but also scholars in the

humanities, particularly philosophers. His pioneering efforts in challenging

anthropocentrism and championing cognitive continuity between humans and other

animals have been instrumental in shaping our understanding of animal minds and their

implications for ethics and policy. Moreover, his engaging and prolific writing and public

lectures brought these profound insights to wider audiences, igniting a sense of wonder

and awe for the natural world that drew Frans, and so many of us, to science.

His best-selling books, including ''Chimpanzee Politics''; ''Our Inner Ape''; and ''The

Bonobo and the Atheist''; not only captivated readers with vivid descriptions of primate

life but also provoked deep reflections on human nature and morality. Most recently, he

boldly took on timely topics like sex differences (“Different”) and animal emotions

(“Mama’s Last Hug”). Most of his books bore a dedication to his wife (and literary

consult and critic), Catherine Marin, whom he affectionately referred to as his favorite

primate.

Frans de Waal will be remembered not only for his groundbreaking scholarship but also

for his warmth, optimism, humor, and dedication as a mentor. Many of de Waal’s

students speak of their deep gratitude for the profound impact he has had on their

careers and lives. He went out of his way to support junior scholars and provide them

with the tools to thrive. More than just a scientific mentor, de Waal served as a role

model, valuing collaboration and showing respect even to those with differing

viewpoints. Despite his fame and achievements, he remained remarkably grounded and

unpretentious, free from the trappings of stress or self-importance. His light-hearted

demeanor fostered a convivial and collaborative atmosphere in his lab and other

scientific circles.

Frans de Waal’s visionary work will continue to shape scholarship for years to come; the

full extent of its impact and implications is likely yet to be fully realized—it is where our

field is headed. Likewise, the reach on his influence—not just for students and

collaborators but also the wider public—is expansive and endless. His memorial

website, https://www.fransdewaalmemorial.com, offers a glimpse into the countless

individuals whose lives he has touched with his work.

He will be missed dearly.

Written by Dr Christine Webb from Harvard University