Dame Jane Goodall, the groundbreaking British primatologist whose intimate observations of chimpanzees revolutionized our understanding of animal behavior and ignited a global movement for conservation, passed away on October 1, 2025, at the age of 91.
She died of natural causes while on a speaking tour in California, according to a statement from the Jane Goodall Institute.
Goodall, often hailed as one of the 20th century’s most influential figures in environmental advocacy, leaves behind a legacy of hope and action that continues to inspire generations to protect the planet’s fragile ecosystems.
Goodall’s journey into conservation began in the wilds of East Africa, where her “nurturing” approach, marked by patience, empathy, and a deep respect for the natural world, transformed scientific study into a profound call for stewardship.
In 1957, at just 23 years old, she arrived in Kenya, having saved for a one-way ticket from England by working as a waitress. There, she connected with famed archaeologist Louis Leakey, who hired her as a secretary and introduced her to the wonders of African wildlife.
It was Leakey who encouraged her to observe chimpanzees in the wild, leading her to Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park in 1960.
Her work in Tanzania extended far beyond observation, evolving into holistic conservation efforts that nurtured both wildlife and human communities.
In the early 1980s, amid growing threats from deforestation and poverty, Goodall launched TACARE (Take Care), a pioneering community-centered program in the Kigoma region. This initiative empowered local women through microcredit, education, and sustainable agriculture, linking environmental protection with health and economic development to reduce reliance on chimpanzee habitats for resources.
TACARE’s success in restoring forests and improving livelihoods became a model for global conservation, demonstrating that true stewardship requires nurturing the people who live alongside endangered species.
By the time of her death, the Jane Goodall Institute, founded in 1977, had expanded these efforts across Tanzania, safeguarding over 100,000 acres of chimpanzee habitat and supporting thousands of families.
Goodall’s nurturing ethos also took root in Kenya, where her early experiences laid the foundation for lifelong advocacy.
Returning frequently to Kenya that sparked her passion, she established Roots & Shoots in 1991, a youth-led program empowering young people to tackle environmental and humanitarian issues.
In Kenya, Roots & Shoots groups, such as those at the International School of Kenya, have mobilized thousands of students to launch projects like tree-planting drives, anti-poaching campaigns, and wildlife monitoring in areas like the Maasai Mara.
