British primatologist Jane Goodall has died at the age of 91 from natural causes while in California, as part of a lecture tour in the United States; her institute confirmed the news in a statement and highlighted her decisive contribution to science and conservation.
His career transformed the way we understand great apes and our relationship with nature; leaders and institutions around the world have valued a legacy that united scientific rigor and environmental commitment for more than six decades.
Trajectory and findings in Gombe
Goodall arrived in what is now Tanzania in 1960, at the age of 26 and without a formal academic background in biology; this fresh perspective allowed her to question dogmas and patiently observe the daily lives of chimpanzees in Gombe, where she broke the mold by identifying each individual by name instead of by numbers.
It was there that he demonstrated that chimpanzees not only use tools, but also make them, as when they prepare rods to capture termites; that discovery forced the scientific community to reconsider what we understand by "tool" and by "human", a shift that marked a before and after in primatology.
His field notes documented complex social behaviors, lasting family ties, displays of affection, and episodes of aggression; he also noted that they are omnivorous and practice hunting , broadening the picture of their ecology and culture.
Among the best-known individuals in Gombe was David Greybeard, whose trust allowed Goodall to approach the community; his work, disseminated globally, brought the lives of these primates closer to the general public and contributed to protecting their habitat.
The famous image with the young Flint symbolized that respectful relationship between species; for Goodall, the scene evoked a bridge between human beings and the rest of the animal kingdom, an idea that permeated all her scientific and popular work.
From scientist to global activist
In the mid-eighties, after decades of research, Goodall turned her energy to conservation after witnessing the deterioration of the environment; her message, always pragmatic, insisted that without habitat there is no future for chimpanzees or for those who share their territory.
In 1977 she created the Jane Goodall Institute to support research in Gombe and promote sustainable development and conservation projects in Africa and other regions; over the years, the organization consolidated an international network of community and scientific programs.
Since 1991 she has promoted Roots & Shoots, an educational initiative that involves young people in local actions for the environment, animals and people; her philosophy encouraged moving from concern to action, convinced that every gesture counts.
Recognized as a UN Messenger of Peace (2002) and Dame of the British Empire (2003), she received numerous awards and honorary doctorates; in 2025, the United States awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an award that underlined her global influence.
Even into old age, he maintained a frenetic pace of travel, meetings, and talks; with his small stuffed companion Mr. H as a symbol of resilience, he promoted agreements with local communities, authorities, and schools to protect forests, restore soils, and reduce threats such as illegal hunting.
Childhood, education and the road to Africa
Born in London in 1934, her curiosity about animals manifested itself from a very young age, with anecdotes such as that afternoon in the henhouse trying to understand how they laid eggs; readings such as Tarzan or Doctor Dolittle guided a dream that ended up pointing Africa on the horizon.
Without the resources for university, she worked as a secretary until 1957 when she traveled to Kenya; there she met the anthropologist Louis Leakey, who trusted in her talent for observation and guided her towards the study of primates in Gombe, with a permit that required her mother to accompany her in the beginning.
Later, despite not having a prior degree, he pursued a doctorate at Cambridge thanks to Leakey's support; he faced academic skepticism for his empathetic approach, but his meticulous data and ability to describe individual personalities settled the discussion.
Personally, she married wildlife filmmaker Hugo van Lawick, with whom she had her son "Grub", and later Derek Bryceson; her life combined family, research and tireless outreach in media, books and documentaries.
She published more than thirty works, including Reason for Hope, as well as works for children; her voice was heard in scientific and environmental forums, reminding that hope is built with concrete actions and collaboration between sectors.
The news of his death closes a key chapter for primatology and environmentalism, but his influence remains in conservation programs, in classrooms and in those who continue his work; the Institute he founded, the young people of Roots & Shoots and the scientific community keep alive that impulse that invites us to rethink our place in nature.
