Jane Goodall, the world-famous scientist who changed how we understand animals and spent her life fighting for the planet, died on Oct. 1 at age 91. Her foundation said she passed away of natural causes while on a speaking tour in California.
Goodall became known in the 1960s for her work with wild chimpanzees in Tanzania. She was one of the first people to see that chimps use tools — a skill many believed only humans had. Her discovery changed science forever.
“Dr. Goodall’s discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world,” the Jane Goodall Institute said in a statement via social media.
Jane was born in London and loved animals ever since she was a child. In her twenties, she traveled to Africa and ended up meeting scientist Louis Leakey. He sent her to study chimps in the wild, and she spent years living near them, learning their habits and social lives.
She later gave up daily research to advocate for animal rights and the environment. She started the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977 and launched Roots & Shoots, a program that inspires young people to take care of the earth and the people around them.
“I’ve been working on trying to make this a better world for animals, people, and the environment, flat out, since 1986, and one of my greatest reasons for hope in this battered world is the youth,” she said in a recorded memo, played for during scheduled event Wednesday in Pasadena, California.
She was expected to help plant 5,000 trees around the wildfire burn zones in Los Angeles. When hearing of her death, the organizers planted the first tree in her name after a moment of silence.
“I don’t think there’s any better way to honor her legacy than having a thousand children gathered for her,” said spokesperson Shawna Marino.
Even in her 80s and 90s, Goodall traveled around the globe, giving talks and meeting students. She often said she had hope for the future as long as people took action.
“Dr Jane Goodall DBE was a visionary humanitarian, scientist, friend to the planet, and friend to us,” Prince Harry and Meghan said in a statement.
She is survived by her son, Hugo, and three grandchildren.
Jane Goodall never stopped trying to help the world. And though she is gone, her mission lives on.
