Legendary Primatologist Dame Jane Goodall Dies at 91
Renowned primatologist and conservationist Dame Jane Goodall has passed away at the age of 91. She died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday morning while in Los Angeles for a speaking tour.
Dame Jane, a British national, dedicated her life to the study and protection of chimpanzees. She began her groundbreaking research at the age of 26 in east Africa, observing chimpanzees and revealing their complex social behaviours. Her work challenged the belief that tool use was exclusive to humans.
She established the Gombe Stream chimpanzee reserve in present-day Tanzania, where she discovered that chimps also ate meat, fought fierce wars, and made tools. Her discoveries revolutionised the field of ethology and paved the way for other female primatologists like Dian Fossey.
In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute to promote research, conservation, and environmental education. Throughout her career, she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world. Later, she shifted her focus towards climate advocacy as she witnessed habitats diminishing.
Dame Jane Goodall's impact on the world of primatology and conservation is immeasurable. She was made a dame in 2003 and, earlier this year, was awarded the prestigious US Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her legacy lives on through the Jane Goodall Institute and the countless lives she touched with her work.
