Birute Galdikas

For fifteen million years orangutans roamed tropical forests from China to South East Asia. In Borneo, one of their last island outposts, lives one today who is a legend. He's won more than just a kingdom, he's won human hearts. They gave him the name Kusasi. The Orangutan King is the story of Kusasi's life told to us by a remarkable witness. Dr Birute M. Galdikas has been researching orangutans in Borneo for over 40 years. Now, for the first time, Dr Galdikas will draw audiences deep into the orangutan universe. With enthusiasm and insight she tells us this special story - taking us back 30 years and unfolding Kusasi's story with detail, energy, and the wonder that she still feels for the orangutan species. As a three year old orphan, Kusasi fell under the care of Galdikas in her forest research camp. But driven by a cunning and tenacious spirit Kusasi did not behave as the other ex-captive infants.

Born to Be Wild observes various orphaned jungle animals and their day-to-day behavioural interactions with the individuals who rescue them and raise them to adulthood. The film unfurls in two separate geographic spheres. Half of it takes place in the rain forests of Borneo, where celebrated primatologist Dr. Birute Galdikas assists baby orangutans; the other half takes place on the arid savannahs of Kenya, where zoologist Dame Daphne Sheldrick works with baby elephant calves.

Narrated by Mel Gibson, The Last Trimate is a compelling account of the work of Birute Mary Galdikas -- who, alongside Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey, is one of the three formidable women to have dedicated their lives to the great apes of the world -- she highlights the plight of the elusive 'red ape' and offers some hope for their survival as their very habitat is decimated at a startling rate.

Celebrates 30 years of televised specials by The National Geographic Society.

To explore the mysteries of man's closest relatives, three women set out years ago, Dian Fossey to find gorillas in Rwanda, Jane Goodall to find chimpanzees in Tanzania and Biruté Galdikas to find orangutans in Borneo. They changed the way we see the world and together inspired generations... More than 50 years ago, Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas ventured on a solitary expedition far into the bush. Cut off from the outside world, they lived in the company of our closest ancestors, the hominids. Over the next few decades, they made history, experienced personal tragedies and inspired a new generation of young women who followed in their footsteps into the depths of the rainforest to explore the origins of man and save a vanishing world. Trimmings is a natural history adventure film for the whole family.

National Geographic Specials