Jane Goodall passed away at the age of 91, peacefully in her sleep, while on a lecture tour in California. The news, shared by the Jane Goodall Institute, quickly travelled around the world and reminded us how profoundly her work changed the way we see animals and ourselves.
In the 1960s, from the small Gombe field camp in Tanzania, Goodall chose the path of listening. She spent months in quiet observation, watching her forest neighbours without haste, until she recorded gestures and behaviours that would shake science. She documented that chimpanzees can make and use tools, revealing just how thin the line is between humans and other animals. That discovery changed the way we tell the story of nature.
After Gombe, her journey broadened to the wider world.
In 1977 she founded the Jane Goodall Institute, which supports research, chimpanzee protection and community-led conservation projects. In 1991 she launched Roots & Shoots, a programme that involves young people in practical actions for people, animals and the environment. It is a living legacy of networks, projects and stories.
The scientist who taught the world patience
For those who love the slow-travel philosophy, Jane was a true guide. She reminded us that every encounter takes time, that knowledge grows from respect and that wonder is a powerful ally against indifference. Her method was non-intrusive and did not try to bend reality to fit a hypothesis. She preferred to be welcomed and to let others speak for themselves. It is the same attitude we carry in our backpacks when we choose to move slowly, to pause, and to ask how our presence can foster care.
How we can honour and continue her journey
Today we can honour her legacy with simple and steady gestures. Choose forms of travel that do not exploit wildlife and that support local caretakers of the land. Favour trains, walking routes and longer stays that reduce our footprint and deepen human connection. Learn to recognise the trees on a city street as well as the species in a park. And, when possible, support the projects that Jane brought into the world, from the Jane Goodall Institute to Roots & Shoots, so they can continue offering opportunities and tools to communities and new generations.
We like to imagine her still along a trail, seated at a respectful distance, her patient gaze turned towards the forest. In her invitation to hope there is a way of travelling that feels like ours: moving to become more attentive, more just, more curious. Not to escape, but to return to a relationship with all that lives.
Thank you, Jane. We will keep walking slowly.
Farewell, Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall’s key discoveries in Ethology
- Tools (1960)
- At Gombe she observed chimpanzees making and using sticks to “fish” for termites, blurring the line between humans and other animals.
- Diet and hunting (from the 1960s)
- She showed that chimpanzees are not only fruit-eaters. They hunt in groups, share meat and sometimes prey on colobus monkeys.
- Complex societies
- She recorded hierarchies, alliances, lasting friendships and a long childhood with strong bonds between mothers and infants, supported by social learning.
- Group culture
- She described traditions that vary between communities, such as using a “leaf sponge” to drink and grooming styles passed down over time.
- Community conflict (1974–1978)
- She documented border patrols, raids and killings between neighbouring groups, painting a picture of territoriality and coordinated aggression.
- Infanticide and, in rare cases, cannibalism
- Difficult observations that helped reveal competition and reproductive dynamics.
- Adoption and consolation
- Individuals caring for orphans and offering comforting gestures in moments of stress or grief—signs of empathy.
- Personality and emotions
- She recognised distinct temperaments in individuals. Her careful approach helped pave the way for new ethical and methodological standards in the study of animal behaviour.
Sources and further reading
- Jane Goodall Institute USA (official site)
- ABC News
- AP News (profile and photo gallery)
- Reuters