Overview
Established in 1971 by Dr. Biruté Galdikas and Rod Brindamour, Camp Leakey in the Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan is the oldest orangutan Research and Conservation Center in the world. The name was taken to honor paleo-anthropologist Louis Leakey, mentor and inspiration to Dr. Biruté Galdikas. Louis Leakey also supported Diane Fossey in the research and protection of the gorillas in Africa and Dr. Jane Goodall in chimapanzees.
Originally consisting of only two simple huts and meant as Research Center for the great ape in Borneo, Camp Leakey has grown through the years and expanded to include conservation and rehabitlitation efforts to save the endangered orangutans and release captured primates back into the wild. The Orangutan Foundation International organization is now also active in the conservation of rainforests to protect the habitat of the apes.
OFI also organizes special eco-tours led personally by Dr. Biruté Galdikas (click here for details: To do)
It is through the publication of research in Camp Leakey that the world has come to know about the orangutans. Until today, the organization remains active in supporting research by various universities in Indonesia and the United States, not only on the orangutan but also on the tropical environment that supports the primates
Because of her unfailing devotion to the preservation of the orangutan, Dr. Galdikas is the most respected authority on these primates. Dr.Galdikas has received countless awards, including the Kalpataru Award from the Government of Indonesia, the highest award handed to pioneers in the preservation of Indonesia’s nature and environment. She also received the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, Gold Medal for Conservation, Chester Zoological Society (UK), PETA Humanitarian Award, United Nations Global 500 Award, and many more prestigious recognitions.
