Birutė Galdikas: The last of ‘Leakey’s Angels’ in primatology’s most extraordinary chapter

With Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey, Galdikas changed the face of science and opened the world’s eyes to how similar humans are to orangutans and other primates.

By: Mireya Mayor, Florida International University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 27, 2026

Words: 1,234

Last Updated: 4 months ago

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By Mireya Mayor, Florida International University

Primatologist Birutė Galdikas died on March 24, 2026, and an era of science that began in the forests of Tanzania, Rwanda and Borneo studying humanity’s closest living relatives more than half a century ago is coming quietly to a close. Her passing marks more than the loss of a scientist – it’s the end of one of the most extraordinary chapters in modern science.

For more than half …

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