Jane Goodall, a global advocate for conservation and environmental protection, passed away in her sleep on Oct.1, 2025, at the age of 91.
Goodall leaves behind an unforgettable legacy as a primatologist, ethologist, and conservationist; famous for her 60-year study of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania.
Her love for chimpanzees sparked after witnessing the threats facing them, and their habitats. Influencing her to quit her job of being a full-time researcher, and become a global advocate and conservationist.
Through Goodall’s work and studies, she discovered that Chimpanzees have similar personalities and characteristics to humans. Chimps are very intelligent and have found a way to make and use tools.
“I think chimpanzees have helped people understand that we are part of and not separated from the animal kingdom, and that has opened the way to having respect for the other amazing beings with whom we share the planet,” Goodall said in an interview with Scientific American.
The discovery of chimps using and creating tools helped Goodall’s mission of protecting the chimps. She believed that if people could understand the chimps, it would help lead to a greater focus on conservation, and the protection of their habitats.
“We haven’t inherited this planet from our parents; we have borrowed it from our children. When you borrow, you pay back. We’ve been stealing and stealing and stealing – and it’s time we stopped, and help the young people in their tremendous enthusiasm and efforts to put things back together for their great grandchildren and ours,” Goodall said to the World Bank.
Goodall’s work differed from other conservationists due to the way she treated the animals she worked with. Goodall made a point to establish a bond with the animals she studied with; believing respect was the best approach.
“Yeah I think she made a difference compared to other conservationists, she bonded with the animals so closely and created a different public opinion that all animals aren’t evil,” Graham Hidalgo, junior, said.
Goodall’s work inspired Hollywood stars, including Leonardo DiCaprio, an American actor and film producer, who shared a passion with Goodall for conservation, the cause with which brought the two close together.
DiCaprio hosted her at a gala in 2018 for his foundation – The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation – dedicated to helping the environment.
After her death was announced, DiCaprio expressed his condolences to Goodall’s family and posted on Instagram to honor her and encourage followers to support her foundation.
“My last message to Jane was simple: ‘You are my hero. Now, we all must carry the torch for her in protecting our one shared home,” DiCaprio said in an interview to Variety.
Similar to how she’s inspired celebrities, her legacy, and who she was, has impacted high school students.
“I was very sad when I heard that she passed since she was my childhood hero and inspired me to be loud and fight for the things that I believe in, but I know that no matter what, everything she stood for will still live on,” Cora Boschen, sophomore, said.
Throughout her career, Goodall did tours to raise awareness towards conservation efforts, and to inspire the youth.
“Her [Goodall] work inspired me because she connected with animals differently than other people did and got firsthand experiences with them,” Serrara Sikora, sophomore, said.
An example is in 2019, Goodall visited Florida Atlantic University and spoke about the importance of protecting species and addressing environmental issues such as climate change. The event was sold out.
“After her presentation, I got to meet her, and I remember she was so sweet. She got all excited about the drawing I gave to her of an ape,” Sikora said.
In 1977, she created her own Institute – Jane Goodall Institute – to support her research on chimpanzees and conservation efforts. She also founded Roots & Shoots, a global youth program that empowers young people to make a difference in their communities.
“It all began with 12 secondary school students in Dar es Salaam [Tanzania] from nine schools in 1991 – and they wanted me to fix all the problems that were around, but I said: “No I can’t, I’m not Tanzanian, but go and get your friends who feel the same [and] we’ll have a meeting” and from that the programme was born,” Goodall said in an interview with Kate Conservation.
Netflix filmed an interview with Goodall for the documentary series Famous Last Words, in March 2025. The interview was conducted with the understanding that it would be released after her death.
The documentary was made to share her final thoughts and reflect on her life’s work, conservation efforts, and the state of the world.
“I think she [Goodall] had a huge impact on biodiversity, and it’s important to have people who are so passionate about it to help stop us from making poor decisions towards harming our environment,” Lauren Winfree, junior, said.
