As a young scientist, Birute Mary Galdikas had a mission: to find and study the elusive orangutans of Borneo’s rain forest to help protect this amazing and elusive species. Award-winning author Anita Silvey explores the life and legacy of this incredible and little-known primatologist as she carries out an epic search in Borneo and struggles to survive while studying the world’s most endangered great ape. Her studies which she began at the young age of 25 brought these critically endangered apes to the world stage, and they are still making an impact today. Now in her 70s, Dr. Galdikas has conducted the longest running study of any wild mammal by any single scientist.
“I’m fighting for the wild orangutan populations so that they will continue to exist in the wild and so the process of evolution continues unimpeded in them…I have to keep going. That is the battle I cannot stop…And I am going to fight the fight until the day I die.” (Birute Mary Galdikas)
MY THOUGHTS: Driven by mentors Jane Goodall and Louis Leakey, Biruté began following her first orangutans Bert and Gus on the island of Borneo in 1971. Her quest to fulfill the passion for saving these marvelous animals continues today through the Orangutan Foundation International she established in 1985.
Most middle grade readers will not have heard her name before as Jane Goodall usually takes top billing in science classes. Now they can marvel at the selfless work Galdikas has carried out, The five chapters in UNDAUNTED detail her training and mentors, the difficult life in Borneo, finding the elusive Orangutan, and what the future holds for this endangered species. Stunning colored photographs appear throughout.
The short volume wraps up with a Field Notes section filled with maps, an Orangutan Family Scrapbook, Timeline of Events, and Further Resources. If you know a young person who is fascinated and intrigued by wild animals, their interest will receive a big boost with this account of life among the orangutans.
Take a look at the helpful Educator’s Guide and below is a video of author Anita Silvey talking about the book:
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I love learning about women doing remarkable things. I have never heard of Dr. Galdikas and am intrigued by her story. She’s so passionate about her work. What a great book for school libraries.
elusive orangutans of Borneo’s rain forest to help protect this amazing and elusive species. Award-winning author Anita Silvey explores the life and legacy of this incredible and little-known primatologist as she carries out an epic search in Borneo and struggles to survive while studying the world’s most endangered great ape. Her studies which she began at the young age of 25 brought these critically endangered apes to the world stage, and they are still making an impact today. Now in her 70s, Dr. Galdikas has conducted the longest running study of any wild mammal by any single scientist.
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Fascinating. This is someone I didn’t know about either. Thanks for the review. I will check this out.
I love learning about women doing remarkable things. I have never heard of Dr. Galdikas and am intrigued by her story. She’s so passionate about her work. What a great book for school libraries.
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