Jane Goodall dies at 91, closing a remarkable life that changed how the world understands animals and the natural world. She passed away in California while on a speaking tour. Tributes from scientists, conservationists and young activists highlight a legacy built on evidence, empathy and action.
Transforming science and conservation
Born in London in 1934, Goodall began fieldwork in 1960 at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. Patient observation and meticulous note-taking led to landmark findings. Chimpanzees make and use tools, hunt in coordinated groups and form complex social bonds. Those discoveries rewrote textbooks and challenged assumptions about what makes humans unique. They also helped launch modern primatology.
Building a global movement
Goodall turned research into impact. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977 to protect great apes and their habitats. Additionally, it supports the people who live alongside them. The institute’s programs pair wildlife protection with community development. This shows that conservation works best when it improves everyday lives. In 1991 she started Roots & Shoots, a youth network. It empowers learners to identify problems in their schools and neighbourhoods and lead practical projects for animals, people, and the environment.
A tireless advocate for the planet
Goodall kept a relentless schedule into her late 80s. She met students, advised policymakers and urged action on climate, biodiversity loss and animal welfare. She argued for habitat restoration and responsible tourism. Furthermore, she called for an end to practices that harm great apes. Her message stayed consistent. Hope is a verb, and small choices add up when millions take them.
What her legacy means now
Jane Goodall dies at 91, but her work continues through protected forests and rehabilitated chimpanzees. A global network of young leaders also carries on her legacy. Researchers still build on methods she pioneered. Communities still benefit from conservation linked to livelihoods. For many, Jane Goodall dies at 91 not as an ending. Instead, it is a call to protect the living world with the same patience, curiosity, and courage she modelled.
