Biruté Galdikas, primatologist who protected orangutans in Borneo, dies

Biruté Galdikas, who founded Orangutan Foundation International and spent decades studying and protecting wild orangutans in Borneo, died of lung cancer in a hospital, her foundation said.

Biruté Galdikas died at age 79, and Orangutan Foundation International said the cause was lung cancer. She began research in Borneo in 1971 and built a long-term study of wild orangutans. Over decades she combined field research with rehabilitation and conservation work. Her foundation and staff returned many orangutans to the wild and helped secure protected areas. Key facts: - The foundation announced she died of lung cancer in a hospital and was 79. - She began work in Borneo in 1971 and was mentored by Louis Leakey as part of the group often called the "trimates." - She founded Orangutan Foundation International in 1986 and her team later returned more than 500 orangutans to the wild. - Her conservation work included helping secure national park protections and building rehabilitation and awareness programs. Summary: Her research expanded scientific understanding of orangutan behavior and life history while her conservation efforts aimed to protect habitat and rehabilitate confiscated animals. Undetermined at this time.