Letters: Primary Opinions

Linda Spalding's well-researched and revealing article about Birut‰ Galdikas's apparent departure from reason left me saddened and disturbed ("The Jungle Took Her," May). How very disheartening and ironic that such a respected pioneer of primate research should abandon sound judgment and regress into a state of misguided maternal anthropomorphism. It is my hope that despite all the evidence to the contrary, Galdikas's behavior can be partially redeemed on the grounds that, as the saying goes, "desperate times breed desperate measures." The tragedy of Galdikas's instability, at a time when Borneo's rapidly dwindling rainforest needs a spokesperson, will hopefully result in a concerted effort by qualified people and organizations to address this plight.

Thank you for publishing the true story of a bitter, disturbed, middle-aged mom who pretends to care for orangutans in order to promote herself, knocking down anyone who stands in her way — I mean Linda Spalding, of course.

So Galdikas has abondoned science? Scandalous? Hardly. Science is not some holy order with vows of lifetime fealty; it's merely what scientists do for a modest living. To do other things is a career change, not a crime. Perhaps Galdikas sees saving the apes as more imperative than studying them. Yes, Galdikas has much explaining to do, but also much to offer to both conservation and science. Let's not abandon her yet just for an entertaining scandal. Granted, the gal's a bit odd and has taken on more than is manageable, but that's no reason to drag her through the mud — she literally did that herself, for 10 years in the swamps of Borneo.

I was appalled to read Outside's misformed and downright hostile portrayal of Galdikas. Spalding describes her as a bizarre and corrupt character, yet having known Galdikas for several years, I've never seen a hint of this. Galdikas has consistently proven to be an exceptionally generous, wise, kind, and caring person. Her love for orangutans, likewise, exceeds anything that money could corrupt. She is among the most admirable individuals anyone could hope to encounter. If people wish to question or criticize her methods in conservation or science, so be it. But attacks on her character are inappropriate and reflect only misunderstandings of Galdikas as a person.

While Galdikas Once may have performed genuine research, her interests now appear to be wholly emotional and thus detrimental to the orangutans she houses. It seems Galdikas is conning those who contribute to her work, and cloaks it with a mean arrogance that laypeople interpret as serious science. If Galdikas isn't careful, soon all funding will dry up and she'll be left with nothing but a ruined reputation and a yard full of dysfunctional orangutans.

The Price of Everything

As a Chilean living abroad, I read John Ryle's profile of Doug Tompkins with great sorrow and disappointment ("Lord of All He Surveys,"June). I am ashamed of the way Tompkins and his park have been treated. The interference Ryle describes in the article reflects the agenda of the Chilean government rather than that of the Chilean people, but we still need to support Tompkins's initiative and try to convince Chile that its land is uniquely beautiful and therefore irreplaceable.

I see no problem with Tomkins's using his own, hard-earned money, derived from First World consumerism, to help preserve intact one of the world's last great forests. In fact, the irony seems perfectly appropriate. Some might call Tompkins a hypocrite, and I would have to agree — there aren't many multimillionaires who would use their ample funds for such an altruistic cause.

As far as I'm concerned, Doug Tompkins is a true hero. It is refreshing to read about a wealthy man contributing to the betterment of this planet with his own personal fortune.

Briefs

In her story about the recent auction of President John F. Kennedy's undies ("Camelot Exposed," Dispatches, June), Tizia Garden happens to mention that Kennedy "was no icon of hard-core adventure." But I seem to recall that Kennedy took a rather long, open-ocean swim back in the early 1940s, literally towing another guy behind him. Sounds pretty hard-core to me.

JFK'S undergarments might have worked fine warming the "derriere-in-chief during yachting forays off Hyannis Port," but to imagine the glossy Marilyn Monroe being hit with serious woo by a gent kitted out in those dashing gray size-40 Duofold long johns, well, that seems quite hysterical.

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