Jane Goodall was an avid conservationist and revered British pioneer in primate ethology (primate meaning a group of mammals that includes humans, monkeys, and apes², and ethology meaning the study of animal behavior¹). Her groundbreaking research has since completely reshaped how humanity views the natural world, challenging long-held beliefs of human supremacy.
To put in perspective the weight of her contributions, Dr. Jane was among the first to show that animals exhibit complex emotions, empathy, and social behaviors, a journey that wasn’t easy.
Even her initial approach in naming animals was criticized by many as “unscientific,” says Mireya Mayor, but over time, it became common practice, showing how her beliefs gradually influenced those around her throughout her lifetime.
In July 1960, at the age of 26, Jane traveled from England to what is now Gombe National Park, Tanzania, stepping into the little-known world of chimpanzees.⁵ During her time there, she was the first to observe and record many revolutionary findings. Those included:
By 1962, with the help of Louis Leakey⁸, Goodall entered a doctoral program at Cambridge University without an undergraduate degree, being only the eighth person to receive such an allowance from the university.⁶ And only a year later, she made her first major publication, “My Life Among the Wild Chimpanzees,” appearing on National Geographic for the first time.²²
From 1974-1975 Jane first observed war between rival factions and cannibalism among Gombe chimpanzees.
In 1977, The Jane Goodall Institute was founded to expand efforts on chimpanzee protection, conservation, environmental education, and further studies.
In the years that followed, Dr. Goodall founded the Roots & Shoots organization (1991).⁹ And was named a messenger of peace by Secretary-General Kofi Annan (2004).¹¹
To commemorate her, World Chimpanzee Day was also founded in honor of her groundbreaking discoveries, celebrating July 14th 1960 when she began pioneering her research, leaving her mark on our calendar for years to come.¹⁰
On the morning of October 1st, Dr. Goodall passed away peacefully in her sleep from natural causes, as confirmed by the Jane Goodall Institute in an official Facebook post.³
By the very next day, numerous influential figures had already heard the news, with Leonardo DiCaprio releasing a long eulogy on Instagram in appreciation, praising her tenacity, grit, and tireless devotion as his hero. Additionally, promoting her support groups in honor of her ideals.²¹
On X (formerly twitter) various other world leaders have also posted about her, including Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple; former president Joe Biden; and Barack Obama. Mentioning her groundbreaking success and reflecting on the transformation she's brought.¹⁶,¹⁷,¹⁸
Organizations and charities are doing their fair share as well. With Audrey Azoulay, director general of UNESCO, posting her personal experience, reminiscing on Goodall's time at UNESCO last year.¹⁹ The International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC) has also released a statement noting, “Her support for our campaign gave us courage at a critical moment, and her voice—wise, kind, and unflinching—reminded the world that the animal kingdom deserves respect and that their lives matter. I had the honor of meeting Jane on a number of occasions, and each time, I felt that I was in the company of someone truly special.”²⁰
As a fellow advocate and messenger of peace, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, writes in a tribute that he is “deeply saddened” to hear about the passing of Jane Goodall. In a tribute post on X, he says, “She is leaving an extraordinary legacy for humanity & our planet,” expressing his gratitude for Goodall’s lifelong commitment to environmental protection efforts and her strong support for the United Nations.¹²
Many friends and associates of Goodall have also come forward. Giving their condolences, thank you’s, and gratitude. Each of them highlighting her numerous achievements and boundless passion towards her craft.¹³,¹⁴,¹⁵
Lastly,
Jane Goodall was the first in many ways. Her discoveries drove humanity out of an era of ignorance, when animals were given numbers instead of names, when humans knew nothing but themselves. Her work reminded us to be united as an ecosystem and that empathy and compassion transcend species. This loss shall not be written only on paper but also in our hearts. Because, for every act of kindness towards an animal, in every young voice raised for our planet. Jane Goodall lives on.