Dr. Jane Goodall, the trailblazing British primatologist whose lifelong study of chimpanzees reshaped humanity's understanding of animal intelligence and conservation, has died at 91. The Jane Goodall Institute confirmed her peaceful passing in California during a U.S. speaking tour, attributing it to natural causes.
Goodall's revolutionary fieldwork in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park during the 1960s revealed chimpanzees' capacity for tool-making and complex social behaviors—discoveries that bridged the perceived divide between humans and animals. Her practice of naming individual primates, rather than numbering them, sparked both scientific debate and public fascination.
Beyond academia, Goodall evolved into a global environmental ambassador, founding community-centered conservation programs across 15 countries. The institute's statement highlighted her dual legacy: "She revolutionized science while mobilizing millions to protect ecosystems."
Her death comes as global wildlife populations face unprecedented threats, with colleagues vowing to continue her vision of "holistic conservation" balancing ecological needs with human development.
