Jane Goodall, Conservation Icon and Scientist, Dies at 91

Jane Goodall, the trailblazing conservationist whose chimpanzee research transformed science and inspired millions worldwide, has died at the age of 91.

Beginning her work in Tanzania in the 1960s under the guidance of anthropologist Louis Leakey, Goodall revolutionized primatology by documenting chimpanzees making and using tools, proving that humans were not unique in this ability.

She was also the first to describe their distinct personalities, emotional lives, and complex social structures, blurring the line between humans and animals. Her early findings, featured in National Geographic and documentary films, propelled her into global recognition.

Over the decades, Goodall became a leading advocate for wildlife protection, climate action, and humanitarian causes, balancing scientific authority with messages of hope. She traveled the world well into her 90s, often captivating audiences with her quiet passion and chimpanzee calls.

Goodall earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025, the Templeton Prize in 2021, and numerous other honors, alongside her bestselling books like Reason for Hope.