We are saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Jane Goodall

In memory of Dame Jane Goodall 1934-2025 - ZSL

Dame Jane Goodall, the world-renowned primatologist and conservationist who transformed our understanding of chimpanzees and inspired millions to protect the natural world, has died aged 91.

She was considered by many to be the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees, but her impact reached far beyond the scientific community. With her warm demeanour and patient, compassionate approach to observing animals, Goodall became a beloved global icon – someone who showed that you didn't need to be a traditional scientist to make revolutionary discoveries. Her ability to communicate the emotional lives of chimpanzees made complex science accessible to everyone, and her message that every individual can make a difference inspired generations to care about conservation.

A revolutionary approach

Jane Goodall revolutionised the study of animal behaviour through her groundbreaking research with chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. Her pioneering methods – observing animals in their natural habitat, naming rather than numbering her subjects, and recognising individual personalities – challenged the scientific orthodoxy of her time and fundamentally changed how we understand our closest living relatives.