Renowned primatologist Jane Goodall dies at 91
Dr. Jane Goodall, Pioneering Primatologist and Conservationist, Dies at 91
LONDON, October 1, 2025 – The world has lost one of its most beloved scientists and humanitarians. Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, renowned primatologist, ethologist, conservationist, animal advocate, and educator, has passed away at the age of 91 from natural causes, the Jane Goodall Institute announced.
A trailblazer in the study of chimpanzees and a lifelong champion for conservation, Goodall leaves behind a legacy that fundamentally changed humanity’s understanding of the natural world.
A Scientist Who Changed the World
Goodall’s groundbreaking fieldwork began in 1960 at Gombe Stream Game Reserve in Tanganyika (now Tanzania), where her patient observations of chimpanzees shattered long-held scientific assumptions. She was the first to document that chimpanzees used tools, a discovery that redefined humanity’s place in nature.
Her work demonstrated that chimpanzees were not so different from humans – they displayed joy, sorrow, grief, and even violence. Her findings revolutionized anthropology, zoology, and conservation, cementing her place as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century.
As her biographer Dale Peterson once noted, she was “the woman who redefined man.”
National Geographic’s Role in Her Rise
Goodall’s global recognition owes much to the National Geographic Society, which began supporting her research in 1961 under the mentorship of Louis Leakey. Her early dispatches from the field, combined with photographs by her then-husband Hugo van Lawick, introduced the young British researcher to the world.
Headlines often focused more on her appearance than her science, dubbing her “the blond girl studying the apes.” But Goodall used the attention to further her work. “I was the Geographic cover girl,” she once said, wryly.
Over the decades, she became one of the Society’s most iconic explorers, her work featured in countless National Geographic articles, books, and documentaries.
From Scientist to Global Advocate
By the 1980s, Goodall began shifting from field research to global advocacy. Shocked by the destruction of chimpanzee habitats and the exploitation of animals in research and trade, she dedicated her life to conservation and education.
In 1991, she founded Roots & Shoots, a youth-led movement for environmental activism, which today spans over 100 countries. She also influenced major policy changes, including the end of chimpanzee experimentation by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Goodall became a United Nations Messenger of Peace, a tireless public speaker, and the recipient of numerous honors including:
- Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE)
- French Legion of Honor
- The Kyoto Prize
- The Schweitzer Medal
- Dozens of honorary doctorates worldwide
A Life of Light Footprints
Goodall was known for her humility and frugality. She often went barefoot in the forest, ate sparingly, and lived simply, even as she rose to international fame. She called herself a “peculiar white ape,” accepted by chimpanzees like David Greybeard, the first who trusted her.
Her work inspired millions to treat animals and the environment with respect. “We should be kind to animals because it makes better humans of us all,” she once said.
Even in her later years, Goodall maintained an exhausting travel schedule, spending up to 300 days a year advocating for conservation. She believed that every lecture, every conversation, even a chance encounter on a plane, might spark the change needed to save the planet.
Legacy of Hope
Goodall often described herself as “a mystic more than a scientist,” guided not just by data but by empathy and connection. Her work helped close the distance between humans and animals, showing the world that we are part of a larger family of life.
“Jane forever changed our relationship with nature and, in turn, our own humanity,” said Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society. “To know Jane was to know an extraordinary scientist, conservationist, humanitarian, educator, mentor and, perhaps most profoundly, an enduring champion for hope.”
In memory of her life, National Geographic will air the documentary “Jane” on October 5, followed by Jane: The Hope. Her story continues to inspire new generations to act with compassion toward animals, the environment, and each other.
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Key Details
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE |
| Born | April 3, 1934, London, UK |
| Died | October 1, 2025, age 91 |
| Known For | Chimpanzee research, conservation, advocacy |
| Major Roles | Founder, Jane Goodall Institute; UN Messenger of Peace |
| Legacy | Roots & Shoots, wildlife protection, redefining human-animal connection |
FAQs
Q1: What was Jane Goodall best known for?
Jane Goodall was best known for her pioneering research on chimpanzees at Gombe, where she discovered that they used tools and had complex emotional and social lives.
Q2: Did Jane Goodall have formal scientific training?
When she began her research, she had no formal degree. Later, she earned a Ph.D. in animal behavior from Cambridge University under the guidance of Louis Leakey.
Q3: What is the Jane Goodall Institute?
Founded in 1977, the institute works globally to conserve wildlife and the environment while promoting sustainable communities.
Q4: What is Roots & Shoots?
Roots & Shoots is a youth-led environmental movement started by Goodall in 1991 to empower young people to take action for the planet.
Q5: How will Jane Goodall be remembered?
She will be remembered as one of the greatest scientists and humanitarians of our time, a woman who taught the world empathy for animals and hope for humanity.
