Remembering Jane Goodall

A beloved primatologist, conservationist, and a humanitarian passed away on October 1st at the age of 91 due to natural causes. Jane Goodall left a remarkable legacy behind. Not only have Goodall’s discoveries made a lasting impact on what scientists know of primate behavior, but they’ve helped prove that humans aren’t so different from apes after all. 

Dr. Goodall contemplated traveling to Africa from a very young age, even saving up money for the boat trip to Kenya from the salary she earned working as a waitress. There, she met Dr. Louis Leake, who was the one who suggested Jane study the chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania. It was there in Gombe where many of Dr. Goodall’s most significant discoveries were made. At just 26 years old, she abolished the working theories that humans were the only animals who could make and use their own tools, show physical affection, and go to war or fight with their own species. The traits mentioned were found to be true in chimpanzee communities too, thanks to Dr. Goodall’s tireless observation. In response to these findings in 1960, her mentor Dr. Leakey stated, “Now we must redefine ‘tool,’ redefine ‘man,’ or accept chimpanzees as humans.” 

 After earning a PhD in ethology (the study of animal behaviors), Dr. Goodall received numerous accolades, titles, and acknowledgments. Some of these include the title of United Nations Messenger of Peace, a United States Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Biden earlier this year, the French Légion D’honneur, and the Medal of Tanzania. President Obama commented that she “opened doors for generations of women in science.” Many others have applauded her work throughout the years. Her TED talk, “What Separates Us From Chimpanzees," has over 500,000 views on YouTube. 

You may be wondering why we should care about Dr. Goodall’s influence on science, to which I quote Goodall herself, “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.” Dr. Goodall’s research demonstrates women's success in male dominated fields, and that young people can, in fact, make a difference in our world. Her work also teaches us that we should respect animals the same way that we respect humans.

Dr. Jane Goodall will forever be remembered as a trailblazing and kindhearted environmentalist whose observations changed the way we see the distinctions between apes and humans. It seems her cause of death was perfectly fitting for the naturalist as it is often seen as the calmest and most peaceful way, suitable for the peacemaker she was.