The Jane Goodall Institute announced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, that Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, founder of the organization and a UN Messenger of Peace, has died in California after a speaking tour. The institute described her as a revolutionary figure whose scientific discoveries reshaped understanding of wildlife and a relentless advocate for environmental preservation. The United Nations also expressed grief, highlighting her efforts to protect the planet and its inhabitants.

Goodall’s passion for animals began in childhood, inspired by books like “Doctor Dolittle” and “Tarzan.” Her journey to Gombe National Park in Tanzania marked the start of decades of research on chimpanzees, where she observed their use of tools and complex social behaviors—discoveries that challenged traditional views of animal intelligence. She earned a PhD in ethology from the University of Cambridge and founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977 with Genevieve di San Faustino, expanding its mission to global conservation efforts.

In 2025, Joe Biden honored her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Throughout her career, she emphasized humanity’s reliance on healthy ecosystems, warning that environmental degradation threatens future generations. Goodall’s work blurred the boundaries between humans and animals, leaving an enduring impact on science and conservation.