Bogotá (EFE).- Considered the world’s leading expert on chimpanzees, Jane Goodall died of “natural causes” in California, United States at the age of 91, according to a statement released by the Jane Goodall Institute on social media.
Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall, known to the world as Dame Jane Morris Goodall, was a pioneering English zoologist, primatologist, and anthropologist whose groundbreaking work revolutionized human understanding of chimpanzees.
Born on Apr. 3, 1934, Goodall dedicated over six decades of her life to studying the social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees, earning her the title of the world’s foremost expert on these primates.
Goodall’s journey began in 1960 when she first ventured to Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania to observe its chimpanzee population.
Her unconventional approach involved immersing herself in the chimpanzees’ habitat and giving them names rather than numbers, which allowed her to develop close bonds with her research subjects.
Beyond her remarkable investigation, Goodall was a passionate advocate for conservation and animal welfare. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute, an organization dedicated to protecting chimpanzees and their habitats, and the Roots & Shoots program, which empowers young people to make a difference in their communities.
Goodall’s profound impact on the world was recognized worldwide. In April 2002, she was appointed a United Nations Messenger of Peace for her tireless efforts in the promotion of research, education, and advocacy on environmental matters.
She was also an Honorary Councillor of the World Future Council, continuing to inspire and guide efforts towards a sustainable future. EFE
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