MEDIA RELEASE
22 APRIL 2016
RENOWNED SCIENTIST AND CONSERVATIONIST BIRUTÉ MARY
GALDIKAS TO JOIN SILVERSEA EXPEDITION CRUISE IN
OCTOBER
Silversea Expeditions is pleased to announce that the internationally recognised
scientist, conservationist and educator Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas will join Silver
Discoverer's 18 October 2016 expedition cruise as a guest lecturer. Famous for her
studies and work with the orangutans of Indonesian Borneo in their natural habitat,
she is considered the world's foremost authority on the orangutan.
This unique 11-day voyage (#9623), sailing from Balikpapan to Singapore, will explore
the exotic islands of Indonesia, spending more than two full days in the port of Kumai,
gateway to Tanjung Puting National Park and its legendary Camp Leakey. Operated
by Dr. Galdikas' non-profit Orangutan Foundation International (OFI), Camp Leakey is
the site of the primatologist's pioneering research in the wild.
During an enriching onboard presentation, Dr. Galdikas will share insights from her 45
years devoted to the study, care and preservation of endangered orangutans.
Additionally, she will lead a private tour to Camp Leakey, where guests can experience
close-up encounters with these amazing animals. Along the way, guests will be
immersed in magnificent tropical scenery where they may spot proboscis monkeys,
gibbons, and macaques, as well as birds from more than 200 species.
In the company of Dr. Galdikas, Silversea guests will also be granted rare access to
the OFI's Orangutan Care Centre and Quarantine facility located in the village of Pasir
Panjang. The rehabilitation centre is home to numerous orphaned, sick or injured
orangutans. Normally closed to the public, it has occasionally opened its doors to a
select group of visitors, including former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
"We're extremely honoured to have Dr. Galdikas join this special cruise to talk about
her work in Borneo and personally guide our guests on their visit to her world-famous
Camp Leakey and Orangutan Care Centre," said Karen Christensen, Silversea’s General
Manager & Director Sales / Marketing, Australasia. "This is an exceptional opportunity for
nature lovers and conservation-minded travellers to discover the remarkable islands
of Indonesia and help support efforts to protect the region's endangered wildlife."
Throughout her life, Dr. Galdikas has fought tirelessly for orangutan conservation.
After meeting with Kenyan anthropologist Dr. Louis Leakey in 1969, she expressed
her desire to study the orangutan in the wild. It took three years for Dr. Leakey to
secure the funding and support for Dr. Galdikas to begin her research. To honour her
mentor, she named her first camp after him. Among her many awards, Dr. Galdikas
is the only non-Indonesian born person to have been given the prestigious Kalpataru
award, the highest honour given by Indonesia for outstanding environmental
leadership.
For each guest on this unique voyage of Silver Discoverer, Silversea Expeditions will
donate $100 to the non-profit Orangutan Foundation International, a 501(c) (3) charity
(Orangutan.org).
For complete voyage details, visit Silversesa.com/destinations/asia-cruise/9623 or
contact your travel professional or Silversea Cruises on +61 2 9255 0600 or 1300 306 872
(Australia) or 0800 701 427 (New Zealand).
ENDS
About Silversea Cruises:
Silversea Cruises, which is chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, is recognised as an innovator in the
luxury cruise line industry. With eight ships currently featured across the award-winning fleet, Silversea
is due to launch its ninth, Silver Muse, in April 2017. The mid-sized luxury cruise line offers guests
large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels including Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver
Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual
elegance. In addition, Silversea’s expedition ships Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos, and Silver
Discoverer, encompass itineraries spanning all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises
to the Mediterranean, Asia, both polar regions and over 700 fascinating destinations in between.
In Asia Pacific, Silversea has been voted "Best Luxury Small Ship Cruise Line" by Australia's Luxury
Travel & Style Magazine every consecutive year from 2006 to 2012 and Silver Whisper or Silver
Shadow have also won the Gold Award as Best Small Cruise Ship in each of those years. Silversea
has also won similar awards from readers of Australia’s Cruise Passenger Magazine, including “Best
Expedition Cruise Ship” (Silver Explorer) 2013, “Best Luxury Cruise Line” 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2015 and
“Best Luxury Cruise Ship” (Silver Shadow) 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Follow Silversea on Twitter, Facebook and the Silversea Blog.
Media Enquiries:
Marco Navarria
Senior Account Manager
S2i Communications
+61 2 9262 4766
[email protected]
www.s2i.com.au
Annaliese Vella
Account Executive
S2i Communications
+61 2 9262 4766
[email protected]
www.s2i.com.au