Dr Jane Goodall is among the world’s most renowned ethologists, a globally famous advocate for nature conservation, a long-time IUCN Patron for Nature and member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission.
In July 1960, at the age of 26, Dr. Goodall travelled from England to what is today Tanzania and bravely entered the little-known world of wild chimpanzees. She was equipped with nothing more than a notebook and a pair of binoculars. But with her unyielding patience and characteristic optimism, she won the trust of these initially shy creatures. She managed to open a window into their sometimes strange and often familiar-seeming lives. The public was fascinated and remains so to this day.
When Dr. Goodall entered the forest of Gombe, the world knew very little about chimpanzees, and even less about their unique genetic kinship to humans. She took an unorthodox approach in her field research, immersing herself in their habitat and their lives to experience their complex society as a neighbor rather than a distant observer and coming to understand them not only as a species, but also as individuals with emotions and long-term bonds. Jane’s discovery in 1960 that chimpanzees make and use tools is considered one of the greatest achievements of twentieth-century scholarship. Her field research at Gombe transformed our understanding of chimpanzees and redefined the relationship between humans and animals in ways that continue to emanate around the world.
Today, Jane’s work revolves around inspiring action on behalf of endangered species, particularly chimpanzees, and encouraging people to do their part to make the world a better place for people, animals, and the environment we all share.
The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a global community conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall. By protecting chimpanzees and inspiring action to conserve the natural world we all share, JGI helps improve the lives of people, animals and the environment. Founded in 1977 by Dr. Goodall, JGI inspires hope through the collective action of community-centered conservation, the innovative use of science and technology, and their global Roots & Shoots program that has for nearly 30 years empowered young people of all ages and is now active in more than 60 countries.
Over the last 60 years, there have been over 600 publications out of Gombe. Researchers have employed new non-invasive methods of examining chimpanzee health, investigated the effects of maternal stress on infants, and further examined the impacts of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus on chimps. We have used satellite imagery and GIS technology to aid in great ape conservation, constructing geospatial tools that allow us to examine habitat suitability. The more we learn about these creatures — their behavior, their habitats, and what threatens their survival — the better able we are able to protect them.
For more information about Jane and the JGI’s work, please consult https://www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/c98_ppc_fac_gcc_combined_compressed_12.03.20.pdf
