
The world of science and the environment has lost one of its greatest figures. World-renowned primatologist Jane Goodall has died at the age of 91 while in California, part of a lecture tour in the US.
The news was announced by the Jane Goodall Institute, which said she died of natural causes.
"Her discoveries revolutionized science. She was a tireless voice for the protection and restoration of the natural world," the statement said.
Jane was born in London in 1934. She had a love for animals since she was a child and in the late 1950s she moved to Africa, where she began working with an archaeologist. Soon, in 1960, she began research on wild chimpanzees in Tanzania, research that would make her name immortal.
She was only in her 20s at the time, but she managed to challenge long-held scientific beliefs: she proved that chimpanzees know how to use tools and that they are not just herbivores.
Even in her 80s, Jane never stopped: she wrote books, gave lectures, and during the pandemic launched a podcast called Hopecast, where she talked to other activists and scientists about the future of the planet. In 2022, the famous toy company “Barbie” created a doll in her image, as part of a series honoring inspiring women.
In her memories, Jane often returned to her childhood. She told how one day she sneaked into a chicken coop to see how the eggs were laying. When her mother found her a few hours later, instead of scolding her, she listened with curiosity. It was precisely this mother's support that pushed Jane towards her dream.