Mazatlán, Mexico.— Jane Goodall, the legendary primatologist whose pioneering work with chimpanzees redefined science’s understanding of the natural world, has died at the age of 91. Her institute confirmed she passed away of natural causes in California while on a speaking tour.
Goodall began her groundbreaking research in 1960 at the Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve in Tanzania, where her close observations revealed behaviors that astonished the scientific community: chimpanzees not only eat meat but also craft and use tools, express emotions, and form complex social bonds. By naming the animals and documenting their personalities, she broke with traditional methods and challenged long-held beliefs about the divide between humans and animals.
Her discoveries revolutionized the field of ethology and opened doors for women in science at a time when opportunities were rare. Despite early criticism for her unconventional approach, Goodall’s work became the foundation for the longest-running study of wild chimpanzees in history—research that continues in Gombe today.
Over time, Goodall shifted from scientist to global activist, founding the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977 and launching the international Roots & Shoots program to engage young people in conservation. She spent decades traveling the world to speak about the urgent need to protect biodiversity and fight climate change.
Her impact was recognized worldwide: she was named a UN Messenger of Peace in 2002, appointed Dame of the British Empire in 2004, and awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.
Jane Goodall leaves behind not only a body of scientific knowledge but also a message of hope, compassion, and responsibility. As the UN noted in tribute, she “worked tirelessly for our planet and all its inhabitants, leaving an extraordinary legacy for humanity and nature.”