Jane Goodall, the legendary primatologist whose research transformed the study of chimpanzees and shaped global conservation efforts, has died at the age of 91.
“Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute has passed away due to natural causes,” The Jane Goodall Institute announced on Instagram Wednesday morning. “She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States.”
Goodall had been scheduled to speak on Friday in Los Angeles.
A legacy of discovery
Over the course of her career, she became known not only for her groundbreaking scientific discoveries but also for her advocacy for the protection of wildlife and the environment.
Goodall’s pioneering work as a primatologist revolutionized science and inspired generations of conservationists. At just 26, she traveled to Tanzania to study chimpanzees in the wild, making discoveries that challenged long-held assumptions about human uniqueness. In 1960, she observed a chimpanzee bending a twig to remove termites from a nest — an ability previously thought to be uniquely human.
Her research also revealed that chimpanzees are omnivorous, challenging the long-held belief that they were strictly vegetarians. Her research showed that, like humans, chimpanzees are not always peaceful and can engage in organized aggression against rival groups. At the same time, she documented the bonds between mothers and their infants, as well as acts of empathy, care and compassion, discovering that these emotions and behaviors are not exclusive to humans.
“With open eyes and an open mind, Dr. Jane Goodall made discoveries that rocked the scientific world, forever changing the way we look at our closest living relatives — and ourselves,“ the Jane Goodall Institute states.
Her trailblazing career also opened doors for women in science. Gilbert Grosvenor, former chairman of the National Geographic Society, noted that women now dominate long-term primate behavioral studies worldwide.
Goodall in Utah
Even in her later years, Goodall remained deeply engaged with the world, including a few visits to Utah. In 2015, she also delivered the Parliament Keynote Address at the Parliament of the World’s Religions, held in Salt Lake City. She also attended the Mountain Towns 2030 Net Zero Summit in Park City in 2019 and spoke to students at Utah Valley University in 2020.
From 2023 to 2024, the Natural History Museum of Utah showcased “Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall,” a multimedia exhibit celebrating her life, discoveries, and advocacy for the protection of wild primates.
Goodall’s own words encapsulate the spirit of her life and work: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
