Silversea To Welcome Back Prominent Scientist And Conservationist Biruté Mary Galdikas In 2019

(Miami, FL -- March 5, 2018) Luxury expedition cruise specialist Silversea has announced that renowned primatologist Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas will join two Silver Discoverer voyages in 2019 as a guest lecturer. Internationally recognized 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.

"It was a great honor to have Dr. Galdikas join our guests in 2016 and 2017 to talk about her work in Borneo and personally guide them on their visit to her world-famous Camp Leakey and Orangutan Care Center," said Conrad Combrink, Silversea's senior vice president of strategic development for expeditions and experiences. "We're excited that she will be returning next year to provide additional opportunities for conservation-minded travelers to explore Indonesia and help contribute to the efforts to protect the region's endangered wildlife."

A duo of expedition cruises with departures on June 24 (Darwin to Bali) and July 9 (Bali to Singapore) will explore the exotic islands of Indonesia, with an overnight stay 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 anthropologist's pioneering research in the wild. Silversea is the only cruise company partnering with Camp Leakey to offer its guests such exceptional wildlife-focused experiences.

For each guest on these special voyages of Silver Discoverer, Silversea Expeditions will donate $100 to the non-profit Orangutan Foundation International, a 501(c) (3) charity (Orangutan.org).

"Working to ensure the survival of these great apes, as well as their precious forest habitat, is my lifelong mission," said Galdikas. "I welcome a partner like Silversea whose guests seek to discover our planet's authentic beauty in places like Camp Leakey, where they can make a difference to help protect its future."

During an enriching onboard presentation, Dr. Galdikas will share insights from her many 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. Immersed in magnificent tropical scenery, guests may also 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 Center and Quarantine facility located in the village of Pasir Panjang. The rehabilitation center is home to numerous orphaned, sick or injured orangutans, and is normally closed to the public.

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 honor her mentor, she named her first camp after him. Among her many awards, Dr. Galdikas was the first non-Indonesian born person to receive the prestigious Kalpataru award, the highest honor given by Indonesia for outstanding environmental leadership.

About Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises, which is chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, is recognized as an innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Spirit and Silver Muse – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos, Silver Discoverer, and with Silver Cloud recently joining the Expedition fleet, Silversea's itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both polar regions and hundreds of fascinating destinations in between.