Checking In: OFI’s First Post
To support her work at Camp Leakey and to help support orangutans around the world, Dr. Galdikas and her former doctoral student, Dr. Gary Shapiro, set up Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) in 1986. Based in Los Angeles, California, OFI has chapters in Australia, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom.
From March 1996 through the end of March 1998 under a special decree, Galdikas served as a Senior Advisor to Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry on orangutan issues. In June 1997, she won the prestigious “Kalpataru” award, the highest honor given by the Republic of Indonesia for outstanding environmental leadership. She is the only person of non-Indonesian birth and one of the first women to be so recognized by the Indonesian government.
What amazing work you are doing at OFI. Thanks to Chris Hoar for educating me about this critically important foundation! We have a responsibility to our fellow creatures and you are modeling that for world! I look forward to learning more and spreading the word.
In Kinship,
Dr. Pia Salk
Congratulations on your first post Sarah! This is great stuff!
I am thrilled to see more information coming out about the tremendous work of OFI. Thank you,Chris and Sarah! The orangutans are such incredibly intelligent and gentle creatures, and the tireless work of Dr. Birute’ Galdikas is impressive. It is amazing to think that in the mid 1970’s Dr. Galdikas was on the island of Borneo, beginning her conservation efforts. I hope that everyone who reads this blog will become a member of OFI and foster an orangutan orphan through the OFI website.
~ ~ ~ Rebecca
yayyy! so exciting and fun!
Hi sarah:
Congratulations on your blog. i so wished i could fill in one of the 2 open spots for this summer volunteer program, would love to catch up with Seeswey, my favorite orangutan…
Hi Sarah,
I am in Kota Kinabalu Malaysia with Dr.Galdikas right now. We are visiting other orangutan sanctuaries to see what others are doing to protect the orangutans in Malaysia. Please note that my website is http://www.orangutan.travel or http://www.irenespencer.travel.
Perhaps we will offer a special trip here with Dr.Galdikas for people who have already been on our OFI trips.