Jane Goodall, Renowned Primatologist and Chimpanzee Expert, Dies at 91 in California
Jane Goodall, a pioneering figure in the study of primates and one of the world’s most recognized conservationists, passed away on Wednesday at age 91. Her death occurred in California, where she was scheduled to speak at UCLA later this week as part of her U.S. lecture tour.
Jane Goodall, pioneering chimpanzee researcher and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, dies at 91 in California during U.S. speaking tour.
Vincent Calmel
The Jane Goodall Institute confirmed her passing due to natural causes in a public statement released on October 1, 2025. She had remained active in her work and advocacy until her final days.
Goodall rose to global prominence in the 1960s following her groundbreaking discovery that chimpanzees could make and use tools—an observation that fundamentally altered scientific understanding of the boundaries between humans and animals. Her research began in the forests of Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania and marked a turning point in primatology.
She worked closely with renowned anthropologist Louis S.B. Leakey after traveling to Kenya in 1957. Her approach to studying chimpanzees, including naming individual animals rather than assigning them numbers, set her apart in the scientific community and helped establish a more empathetic model of wildlife research.
Goodall’s life and work were chronicled in more than 40 documentaries produced by National Geographic, Animal Planet, and other major media outlets. The 2017 documentary Jane, compiled from over 140 hours of archival footage, received two Primetime Emmy Awards and brought renewed attention to her early years of fieldwork.
In 2023, the Imax release Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope highlighted her global conservation efforts and habitat restoration initiatives. She also appeared in popular culture, lending her voice to animated series including The Simpsons and The Wild Thornberries, further expanding her reach across generations.
Beyond research, Goodall was a passionate advocate for environmental and humanitarian causes. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, which continues to support primate research and conservation. Her other initiatives included Roots & Shoots, a youth engagement program, and TACARE, which supports sustainable development in African communities.
Born in Hampstead, London, Goodall's early fascination with animals led her to East Africa, where her career took shape. Over the decades, she remained dedicated to raising awareness about wildlife conservation, climate change, and ethical treatment of animals.
Jane Goodall’s influence extended far beyond science. Through public speaking, education, and activism, she helped inspire a global movement focused on preserving the natural world.
