Turning Intention Into Action
From left, Dr Dian Fossey, Dr Jane Goodall , Dr Birute Mary Galdakis - The ‘trimates’ and legendary pioneers of primate conservation.
The global conservation icon, Dr Birute Mary Galdikas passed away on the 24th March this year, she was the last surviving Trimate, a legendary trio of primatologists, who together with Dr Dian Fossey and Dr Jane Goodall, devoted their lives to the understanding, study and protection of wild primate populations with each tirelessly fighting for their rights and freedom.
Louis Leakey, a gifted paleoanthropologist, mentored each Trimate encouraging Dr Dian Fossey to study mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Dr Jane Goodall to study chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania and Dr Birute Mary Galdikas to study orangutans in Borneo. Each primatologist contributed ground breaking insights into the behaviour, lives and ecology of primates, catapaulting them into public consciousness and forever changing how humans see their closest living ancestors. For the first time primates’ intelligence, loving relationships, complexity and their deep rooted connection with nature was recognised.
The Trimates fearless pursuit to shine a spotlight on primates and their habitats led them to actively and compassionately campaign for their welfare, their protection and their homes. For Dr Birute Mary Galdikas, the world’s foremost expert on Orangutans, this included lobbying against the destruction wrought by the illicit actions of monoculture palm oil plantations. Informed by her first hand experience witnessing grave animal and human rights infringements, she was clear in identifying that all palm oil should be avoided until it is genuinely regulated, monitored and made ethical in its production. The Contented Bear has always taken lead from Dr Galdikas and has never used palm oil in any of our soaps or gifts and never will.
The Trimates are extraordinary inspiration for turning intention into profound action and for showing that change can happen. You can see the legacy of their awe inspiring work below:
