Jane Goodall, who dedicated her life to chimpanzees and other primates, has died at the age of 91. The conservationist, whose life was chronicled in Apple TV’s live-action series Jane, has finally left us, and the world will probably feel her loss deeply.
The Death Of An Icon
On Wednesday night, CBS reported that the news of her death arrived via The Jane Goodall Institute. Sadly, she died far away from her beloved Africa. Her trailblazing research into wild chimpanzee behavior took place in the Gombe Stream reserve, a protected area on the edge of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania.
When she passed away, the conservationist was on a speaking tour in California. She had lived a very active and meaningful life, and her passing was from natural causes. The anthropologist, who made so many inroads into how primates interact and their importance to the world, was honored with a minute of silence at an event in Pasadena.
Scheduled to speak there, instead, attendees watched a “pre-recorded video” about the “importance of youth and their ability to change the world.” The statement noted:
Dr. Goodall’s discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world…
Reactions From Supporters
When the BBC reported on the news of Jane Goodall’s death, many people took to the comments section to remember her contribution to conservation. One of them said, “Sad. The world needs many more people like her. An amazing woman.”
Here are more reactions to the sad news:
The Pioneers Are Leaving
A long list of conservationists came and went long before climate change became a mainstream concern. Joy and George Adamson come to mind. Their pioneering efforts in big cat conservation were immortalized in the book and movie about Elsa the lioness. She passed away from a tick-borne illness, while her husband was killed by Somali bandits.
Last year, more pioneering figures passed on. These included Nancy Wallace, who advocated for urban green spaces, and Ryan Killackey, who worked with communities in the Amazon rainforest. Another one who passed on was Rabbi Bernstein, who helped found the first national Jewish environmental organization, Keepers of the Earth.
South Africa’s rhino expert, Ian Player, passed away from a stroke a decade ago. As a Natal Parks Board game ranger, Ian Player launched the landmark “Operation Rhino,” which saved the southern white rhino.
The South African conservationist also helped established the continent’s first protected wilderness area, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site. Plus, he founded the Wilderness Leadership School.
Those Still Alive Reach To The Youth
Still alive is the 99-year-old legendary broadcaster David Attenborough, who spent his 70-year career narrating landmark series like Planet Earth. His long career made him a recognised voice for biodiversity and climate change mitigation.
A new generation is responding to the challenges of conservation. For example, Blake Moynes, who appeared on ABC’s Bachelor Nation, hails from Canada. He does a lot for nature conservation with education, anti-poaching, and the creation of documentary-style videos.
Are you sad to hear about the passing of Jane Goodall? Do you hope that young people will step up and continue the efforts of these pioneering figures? Give them all a shout out in the comments below, and remember to come back here often for all your celebrity news and updates.
