Orangutan Conservationist Figure, Prof Birute Mary Galdikas, Passes Away in the US
Renowned orangutan conservationist Prof. Biruté Mary Galdikas is reported to have passed away on Tuesday, 24 March 2026. She died in Los Angeles, United States of America (USA).
Biruté Mary Galdikas served as President of the Orangutan Foundation International (OFI), contributing significantly to orangutan conservation efforts in Central Kalimantan, particularly in West Kotawaringin. Her passing leaves a great loss for the conservation world in Indonesia.
News of Biruté Mary Galdikas’s death came from Forestry Minister (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni, among others. In a post on his Instagram account, Raja Juli said he received the news of her passing just before midnight yesterday, Tuesday (24/3), from her son, Fred.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Forestry, I extend my deepest condolences for Mrs Birute’s passing. Indonesia has lost one of its finest daughters who worked tirelessly in silence for decades deep in the forests of Central Kalimantan for orangutan habitat conservation,” said Raja Juli.
“If today you see the beautiful and well-preserved Tanjung Puting National Park with orangutans that leave you in awe, you will find the footsteps and handprints of a woman with a strong heart and high commitment—besides the old wooden house she built in the early 70s. Farewell, Mrs Birute. Thank you for your services and hard work all this time,” he added.
Wished to be Buried in Indonesia
Raja Juli also recounted Birute’s will as conveyed to her son. “I remember a conversation with Fred a few months ago when we visited Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan together, after visiting the Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) office,” he said.
He stated that, whispering, Fred shared that his mother was suffering from lung cancer, which prevented her from flying more than 4-5 hours. It was impossible for her to fly to Indonesia, even though she greatly missed setting foot again in the Central Kalimantan forests.
“Fred even conveyed Mrs Birute’s will that if she passed away, she wanted to be buried in Dayak land in Central Kalimantan, close to her husband’s grave, a Dayak who had gone before her,” said Raja Juli.
Currently, the family and foundation are awaiting administrative processes at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in the United States so that the repatriation of the body to Indonesia can proceed smoothly.
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Sad news, Prof. Biruté Mary Galdikas passes away at the age of 79. Learn about the profile and extraordinary dedication of the orangutan conservationist in Kalimantan.