A life of discovery and empathy
Jane Goodall, the London-born primatologist whose patient, decades-long observations of chimpanzees redefined our understanding of animal intelligence, has died at age 91. The Jane Goodall Institute confirmed that she passed away on Wednesday morning in California, where she had been traveling on a speaking tour. The professional world and millions of admirers mourn the loss of a scientist whose work bridged rigorous science and heartfelt advocacy.
Goodall’s work began when she left home at a young age to study chimpanzees in East Africa. Over years of careful observation, she revealed that chimpanzees engage in complex social behaviours, solve problems, and form intricate social bonds—traits once thought to be uniquely human. Her decision to name individual chimpanzees rather than catalog them by numbers helped viewers see beyond data points and recognize the individuality and personality of each animal.
A trailblazer for women in science
Her fieldwork not only advanced ethology but also changed how science is communicated to the public. Goodall became a familiar face on National Geographic programs and in its magazines, bringing attention to chimpanzee behaviour and habitat conservation. By openly sharing her observations and her empathy for wildlife, she paved a path for generations of women in primatology and conservation, including scholars and activists inspired by her example.
As a London-born scientist who grew into an international icon, Goodall often spoke of the social bonds within chimpanzee communities, the damage caused by habitat loss, and the urgent need to protect these species. Her work in East Africa laid the groundwork for modern primatology, and her approach—observing animals in their natural contexts while communicating findings with clarity and warmth—has influenced how researchers and the public understand animal lives.
From field notes to global conservation
In later years, Goodall shifted her focus toward climate and habitat protection, recognizing that the survival of chimpanzees and other wildlife hinges on healthy ecosystems. She became a leading voice in conservation and climate advocacy, urging policymakers and communities to protect habitats from logging, mining, and other threats. Her advocacy echoed in classrooms, campaigns, and international forums, where she spoke about a future in which humans live in greater harmony with the natural world.
Her honors reflected a life of service as much as a life of science. She was made a Dame in 2003 for her contributions to science and conservation. Earlier this year she received the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom, underscoring her impact beyond academia and into the realm of global goodwill. Her public messages—whether through interviews, lectures, or the pages of National Geographic—urged action to safeguard Africa’s wildlife and the ecosystems that sustain them.
Legacy and lasting impact
Goodall’s legacy endures in the countless researchers she inspired, the conservation programs she helped launch, and the ongoing dialogue about humanity’s relationship with nature. She demonstrated that rigorous science can coexist with compassion and that naming and storytelling can help the public form a personal connection to wildlife. Her work continues to guide ethical questions in primatology, wildlife rehabilitation, and habitat restoration, influencing policies and practice around the world.
As the scientific community and conservationists reflect on her extraordinary life, they remember a scholar who treated chimpanzees as individuals with social complexity, a mentor who supported younger researchers, and a global advocate who reminded us that protecting the planet is a responsibility we all share. Jane Goodall’s contributions will endure in every future field note, every conservation campaign, and every act of stewardship toward the natural world.
A note for readers
Details are still unfolding as tributes pour in from around the world. This story will be updated with additional remarks from colleagues and institutions that carry forward Goodall’s mission of science-informed advocacy for chimpanzees and the broader environment.
