Jane Goodall

Who Was Jane Goodall?

Jane Goodall was an English primatologist. A primatologist is a scientist who studies animals like apes and monkeys. Many people called her "the world's preeminent chimpanzee expert." She passed away in 2025 at the age of 91.

Her Special Work

Jane spent more than sixty years studying wild chimpanzees and their families. She worked with them at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. Her field research showed that chimpanzees can use tools, have deep feelings, and form lasting social bonds. This helped people see that we share many things with animals.

Jane gave the chimpanzees names instead of numbers. Some of their names were David Greybeard, Goliath, Flo, and Frodo. This helped her become the only human ever accepted into chimpanzee society.

Growing Up and Learning

Jane was born in 1934 in Hampstead, London. As a little girl, she got a stuffed toy chimpanzee named Jubilee from her father, instead of a teddy bear. She said this toy started her love of animals. She dreamed of Africa.

Jane worked with the scientist Louis Leakey, and in 1960 she began her work at Gombe. Later, she studied ethology at the University of Cambridge.

Helping Animals and Nature

In 1977, Jane started the Jane Goodall Institute to help protect wildlife. In 1991, she began the Roots & Shoots youth programme, which grew into a worldwide group. She also helped set up wildlife sanctuaries and reforestation projects in Africa.

Jane wrote 32 books, and 15 of them were for children. In 2002, she was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

Remembered Today

Many people still remember Jane for her kindness and her love of animals. The singer Stevie Nicks wrote a song called "Jane" to celebrate her life and work. The toy company Lego Group even made a set honouring her.