Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall, a renowned ethologist and conservationist, was born in London in 1934. She developed a keen interest in animal behavior at a young age and went on to study at secretarial school in South Kensington after being unable to afford college. However, her passion for animals never waned, and she eventually landed a job as a secretary for Louis Leakey, a renowned anthropologist and paleontologist. It was through this job that Goodall was given the opportunity to study chimpanzees in Tanzania, setting the stage for her groundbreaking research and lifelong dedication to animal welfare and conservation.

Goodall's research with chimpanzees began in 1960 when she arrived in Tanzania to study the wild chimpanzees of Gombe Stream National Park. At the time, very little was known about chimpanzees and their behavior, making Goodall's discoveries all the more groundbreaking. Through her observations, Goodall challenged the notion that humans were the only species capable of using tools and engaging in complex social behavior. She discovered that chimpanzees have personalities, use tools, have wars, and can eat meat. Her research fundamentally changed our understanding of chimpanzees and paved the way for further research in the field.

In addition to her groundbreaking research, Goodall has become a prominent activist and advocate for animal welfare and conservation. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), which is dedicated to protecting chimpanzees and their habitats, as well as promoting conservation and sustainable living practices. Goodall's work has had a lasting impact on conservation efforts worldwide, and she continues to inspire generations of researchers and activists. She is a former president of Advocates for Animals, an organization that campaigns against the use of animals in medical research, zoos, farming, and sport, and a patron of AUS. Through her work, Goodall has redefined what it means to be human and set the standard for how behavioral studies are conducted.