Jane Goodall: chimp advocate

Jane Goodall was born April 3, 1934. She loved animals from an early age and was especially fond of a stuffed chimpanzee she owned named Jubilee. Once as a child, she hid for hours under her family's henhouse, waiting to watch a hen lay an egg.

https://www.janegoodall.org.uk/jane-goodall/biography
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When Jane was 26, she traveled to Gombe, Tanzania, to study chimpanzees. At the time, chimps were mainly studied in cages or through binoculars. By contrast, Jane immersed herself in the chimpanzees' habitat, visiting at the same time each day and eating the same things as the chimps. Over time, the chimpanzees became comfortable with her presence, allowing Jane to study their habits up close.

https://www.janegoodall.org.uk/jane-goodall/biography

From this extensive study, Jane learned that chimps have a language with over 20 sounds, create tools, form complex family relationships, and eat bugs (they were previously thought to be vegetarians). These discoveries changed the way scientists understood primates and revolutionized the way animals are studied.

Jane earned a Ph.D in ethology from Cambridge University and founded the Jane Goodall Institute for conservation, research, and education. She is also author of many books, including nonfiction books about her work, autobiographies, and children's books. 

Awards and recognition:

• Medal of Tanzania
• National Geographic Society's Hubbard Medal
• Kyoto Prize (Japan)
• Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research
• Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science
• UNESCO 60th Anniversary Medal
• Ghandi/King Award for Nonviolence
• United Nationals Messenger for Peace
• Dame of the British Empire
• Legion of Honor (France)

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"Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, shall all be saved."
 - Jane Goodall

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Jane's impact

The work Jane has done with chimpanzees has changed the way we see these animals and understand how they live and work. Her work also inspired women to enter the field of primatology - she was one of the first in this field.

Jane Goodall Institute is having a widespread impact:

• chimp rehabilitation
• habitat restoration
• wildlife education
• research
• policy advancement
• kids' program (Roots and Shoots)

​Download the Jane Goodall Institute fact sheet:
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Jane Goodall Institute Fact Sheet
File Size:	837 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Jane began her adventure with chimpanzees on a trip to Tanzania when she was 26

Her work revolutionized the way we understand chimpanzees because she immersed herself in their habitat

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Watch Jane Goodall's TED talk:

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Watch the preview for the new documentary on Jane Goodall:

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Jane the rebel

Jane Goodall's radical approach to studying chimpanzees, along with being one of the first women in the field of primatology, earns her official Rebel Girl status.

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More resources:

• Learn more about the Jane Goodall Institute
• Read Jane's profile on Biography.com