Press Releases

The President: To preserve nature, we first have to change ourselves

Wednesday, May 25, Vilnius - President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with Dr. Birutė Galdikas, a well-known Lithuanian Canadian primatologist, conservationist, ethologist, and author of several books relating to the endangered orangutan.

The conversation centered on Dr. Galdikas' research, conservation activities and plans for the future. The President underlined that Birutė Galdikas, who is internationally recognized for environmental initiatives, was making a significant contribution to protecting animals and their natural habitats and to fighting the destruction of living nature.

"The Earth is our only refuge and home. By devastating the environment, we are devastating ourselves. Your invaluable experience, enthusiasm and high aspiration to stop the demolition of nature is an example to be followed and a great incentive to protect our surroundings. We cannot live for this day only. To change the situation, we first have to change ourselves: we must preserve nature for those who will come after us," the President said.

The President expressed her strong hope that Birutė Galdikas, whose environmental activities were promoting the name of Lithuania around the world, would share her priceless experience and knowledge with Lithuanian researchers and students by including them into joint work projects.