Trimates

Trimates refers to three pioneering female primatologists whose field studies of great apes in Africa and Southeast Asia during the 1960s and 1970s helped shape modern primatology: Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birutė Galdikas. The nickname, widely used in popular media of the period, signified their roles as leading women in a male-dominated scientific field.

Goodall conducted long-term study of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, documenting social behavior, tool use, and chimpanzee culture. Fossey studied mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda, contributing to behavioral research and conservation efforts; her work supported protective measures but was marked by controversy and she was murdered in 1985. Galdikas studied orangutans in Borneo, establishing a field presence at Camp Leakey and providing extensive observations on orangutan development, cognition, and habitat loss. Collectively, the Trimates demonstrated the value of long-term field research and advanced understanding of ape behavior, social structure, and ecology.

Their work also spurred conservation initiatives and the creation of enduring organizations: the Jane Goodall Institute, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, and the Orangutan Foundation International. The Trimates’ legacy includes the popularization of primatology, continued attention to primate welfare, and a broader public appreciation of habitat conservation and ethical considerations in wildlife research.