Life with Orangutans: Dr. Birute Galdikas

Dr. Birute Galdikas has dedicated over 50 years of her life to studying and protecting orangutans in the rainforests of Borneo. As one of the legendary “Trimates” chosen by Louis Leakey — alongside Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey — Birute helped pioneer the field of primatology and conservation.

In this episode of Life's Tough, Explorers are Tougher, she reflects on her journey from graduate student to global conservationist. She shares deeply personal stories about bonding with wild orangutans, the challenges of navigating foreign cultures, and the evolution of orangutan behavior under environmental stress. Birute also opens up about the sacrifices she's made, her unique role in Indonesian society, and her enduring hope for change.

Hosted by Richard Wiese, this conversation is a tribute to endurance, compassion, and what it truly means to dedicate your life to a cause greater than yourself.

This is Life's Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, with your host, Richard Weiss. Scratch the surface of an explorer and you'll find an adventure and a great story. This show is about their tales.

This podcast is a proud supporter of the Explorers Club and the EC50 Initiative. 50 people changing the world that the world needs to know about. For more information, go to explorers.org.