Dr. Jane Goodall, the groundbreaking primatologist, ethologist, and conservationist who transformed humanity’s understanding of the natural world, has died at age 91. The Jane Goodall Institute announced on October 1, 2025, that she passed away of natural causes.
Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and a United Nations Messenger of Peace, was widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. Her pioneering fieldwork at Gombe Stream in present-day Tanzania, beginning in 1960, revealed that chimpanzees make and use tools—an ability previously thought to belong only to humans.
Her discoveries, first supported by her mentor Louis Leakey and later amplified through National Geographic coverage, upended conventional science and inspired generations of researchers and conservationists. She became known not only for her meticulous observations of chimpanzee societies but also for naming her study subjects—such as David Greybeard and Flo—rather than reducing them to numbers, highlighting their individual personalities.
“Dr. Jane Goodall brought so much light into this world, demonstrating beautifully what one person can achieve,” said Jill Tiefenthaler, chief executive officer of the National Geographic Society. “She forever changed our relationship with nature and, in turn, our own humanity.”
Over her decades-long career, Goodall became an outspoken advocate for conservation, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship. She founded the Roots & Shoots youth program in 1991, empowering young people to take action on behalf of animals, the environment, and their communities. She also played a role in ending the use of chimpanzees in medical research and campaigned against the wild meat trade in Africa.
Her impact extended beyond science to global culture, where her quiet determination and optimism made her a beloved figure. Honors included the French Legion of Honor, the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and more than 50 honorary degrees.
In her later years, Goodall traveled tirelessly—often spending 300 days a year on the road—sharing her message of hope and responsibility. “We should be kind to animals because it makes better humans of us all,” she often said.
To honor her life and legacy, National Geographic will air the feature documentary Jane on Sunday, October 5, followed by Jane: The Hope.
Source: National Geographic