Jane Goodall, Pioneering Primatologist and Conservationist, Dies at 91
Jane Goodall, the legendary British primatologist, zoologist, and conservationist renowned for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, has died at the age of 91. The Jane Goodall Institute confirmed her passing from natural causes on October 1, 2025, in California, where she was on a speaking tour.
“Dr. Goodall revolutionized science and was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world,” the institute’s statement read. Her discoveries transformed the field of ethology and inspired generations of scientists and environmentalists.
Goodall devoted over six decades to studying chimpanzees at Gombe National Park in Tanzania. Her research revealed their ability to use tools, form complex social bonds, and display emotions once thought to be uniquely human. Despite having no formal training, she earned her doctorate at Cambridge under the guidance of famed anthropologist Louis Leakey.
In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute to protect great apes and their habitats. Her global advocacy earned her numerous honors, including being named a UN Messenger of Peace in 2002 and receiving a damehood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2004.
Goodall often said she was driven by hope, telling Parade in 2009, “We can give up, or we can fight for what’s left.” Even into her nineties, she continued traveling the world to speak about conservation and compassion.
Her work was not without controversy. Early in her career, some scientists criticized her for naming chimpanzees and attributing emotions to them. Over time, her empathy and meticulous observation reshaped scientific understanding.
Tributes have poured in from around the world, including from world leaders, celebrities, and environmental organizations. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio urged, “We must carry the torch for Dame Jane and protect our shared home.”
Jane Goodall’s legacy endures through her research, her institute, and her message of harmony between humans and nature.
