Recently, we lost a major inspiration to the scientific world. Jane Goodall, a female British primatologist, ethologist and anthropologist, spent 60 years studying chimpanzees and their behaviours in Gombe National Park in Tanzania. She passed away on October 1st, 2025 at 91 years old.
Her work was the base of many significant scientific discoveries regarding chimpanzees and similar topics. She was said to have “redefined humanity’s relationship with wildlife.”
She was born on April 3rd, 1934 in London, Britain. Books like Tarzan and Dr. Doolittle, along with her toy chimpanzee sparked her interest in animals at a young age.
Later on, she couldn’t afford college, so she went to a sentimental school to try and save up money to take a trip to Africa. She arrived in Kenya during 1957. There, she met a paleoanthropologist, Dr. Lewis Leakey, who hired her as an assistant.
She began her research in the Gombe Stream National Chimpanzee Reserve during 1960. She lacked a bachelor’s degree, but she used other methods to ensure her success.
She made it to the University of Cambridge during 1962, earning her PhD in ethology just four years later. She was one of the few students to receive a doctoral degree sans an undergraduate degree prior.
Some of her major discoveries included tool use and complex behaviors performed by the chimpanzees.
Later on in the 1980’s, she decided to switch from research to global conservation and activism, trying to change the world day by day. She accomplished a lot in the span of 25 years. The JGI (Jane Goodall Institute) was one; a program that helped to advance the research of chimpanzees and their habitat. Roots and Shoots is a global youth service initiative that stimulates the youth to take an interest in environmental issues.
Years later, Goodall decided to spend her time traveling to give lectures and advocate for animal welfare, as well as protection for the environment. She traveled over 300 days a year.
Sadly, she has passed away, but her legacy remains; a legacy that is now in the hands of hundreds of thousands of people.
“Our impact on the planet can create a better future for all living things” – Mena Bishay (Santaluces chemistry teacher)
“I believe that she is one of the most influential female scientists of all time, and I think, and hope, that her impact will be felt for generations, especially her work in conservation.” – James Gray (Santaluces AICE psychology teacher)
