LONDON — Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist, anthropologist, and conservationist, has died at the age of 91. The Jane Goodall Institute announced that she passed away from natural causes while in California on a speaking tour.
The institute praised Goodall for her transformative work, noting that her “discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science” and that she remained a tireless advocate for protecting and restoring the natural world.
Groundbreaking Research in Tanzania
Goodall began her pioneering research in Tanzania’s Gombe National Park at just 26. She documented chimpanzee behavior in the wild, demonstrating that primates possess individual personalities, create and utilize tools, and exhibit complex social behaviors similar to those of humans.
Among her most notable insights, Goodall highlighted the dual nature of chimpanzees as capable of both violence and altruism, emphasizing how “like us” they are in behavior and emotion.
Lifelong Passion for Animals and Conservation
Her love for animals began in childhood, inspired by books like Doctor Dolittle and Tarzan. After earning a PhD in ethology from the University of Cambridge, Goodall founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, which operates globally to promote primate welfare and conservation.
In 1991, she launched Roots & Shoots, a program empowering young people worldwide to take action on humanitarian and environmental issues. She was also named a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2002.
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Advocacy and Cultural Impact
Goodall continued to advocate for environmental protection well into her 80s and 90s. She addressed climate change, partnered with companies like Apple to promote recycling, and emphasized learning from humans’ closest living relatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she warned that human disregard for wildlife contributed to cross-species virus transmission.
Her cultural influence extended to pop culture: in 2022, Mattel released a Jane Goodall Barbie to inspire curiosity and environmental awareness in children.
Honors and Legacy
Goodall received numerous accolades, including being appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1995, promoted to Dame Commander in 2003, as well as the French Legion of Honor, Japan’s Kyoto Prize, and the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom.
She is survived by her son, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick, and three grandchildren. Her second husband, Derek Bryceson, died in 1980.
Jane Goodall’s pioneering work transformed science, conservation, and the global understanding of our closest-living relatives, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire generations.
