The news of Jane Goodall’s passing indicates a devastating loss, but it is with this news that we would like to honour and celebrate her far-reaching legacy.

Jane Goodall has been given many labels including environmentalist, conservationist, scientist and activist, but the essence of her work is a deep compassion towards animals and humans. Goodall was born in 1934 in London, but in 1957 she pursued her love for Africa and moved to Kenya to work as a secretary. Her studious personality and passion for wildlife were noted by Louis Leakey, who supported her to study primate biology.

In Tanzania, she worked at Gombe Stream National Park, where she carried out fieldwork observing chimpanzee behaviour. These observations went on to be the first studies proving that humans were not the only species capable of using tools. In the 1960s, Leakey arranged for Jane to study for a PhD (Behaviour of Free-Living Chimpanzees (1966)] at the University of Cambridge, and she became the eighth person ever to be accepted for a PhD without an undergraduate degree.

Her published papers on chimpanzees uncovered a complexity of behaviours, such as tool use, hugging, and community bonds between individuals, as well as violent and aggressive behaviour like hunting and eating other primates. She was criticised by scientists for referring to the chimpanzee subjects by name rather than numbers in her studies. Nevertheless, the fact that Jane’s scientific papers are sprinkled with names like Flo, Mike and David Greybeard is a touching detail that reveals the humanity and compassion with which she approached the world. Her belief that humans are not the only species capable of thought, emotions and personality is a cornerstone of her work.

Goodall’s work was born in Tanzania, but this generated involvement in dozens of other projects and initiatives worldwide. In 1977, she established the Jane Goodall Institute, promoting the protection of chimpanzees and their habitat, with a focus on community based conservation and development. Her conservation work expanded in 1991 with the founding of Roots & Shoots, a humanitarian and environmental organisation that focusing on local projects run by young people.

As of 2024, Roots and Shoots had over 10,000 active groups, engaging 1.7 million young people in over 75 countries. In 1992, she created the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre in the Republic of Congo to house and rehabilitate chimpanzees affected by poaching. Goodall was also an advisory council member for the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida.

Goodall has extensive links with China, a country she first visited in 1998. Goodall has publicly noted the mass environmental devastation caused by China, both locally and overseas, but also highlighted positive changes she has noticed since the 1990s.

She praised the increasing importance placed on environmental and biodiversity projects in China, naming the successful Giant Panda conservation program and the government efforts to protect the Yangtze River basin. Shortly after her first visit, Roots & Shoots offices were opened in Beijing and Shanghai. She since returned regularly to give talks, and to encourage youth projects, with Roots & Shoots working in over 1,000 Chinese schools and training 10,000 teachers.

The Jane Goodall Insitute in Hong Kong has been active since 2002, running several programs including a marine waste clean-up project, and the Green Elder Internship which helps retired people get involved in ecology and environmentalism. With the help of Goodall, the Jane Goodall (Beijing) Center was also established in 2006 to further expand her work in Greater China.

Her death has provoked an outpouring of sympathy and praise from Chinese scientists and activists. Xi Zhinong (Snow Leopards and Friends), the founder of Wild China Film, an NGO focused on documenting China’s natural world, described Goodall as a “a guiding light”.

In late 2024, Goodall visited China for the 17th time, joining ten public events in Beijing over just five days, being active as usual.

Goodall has had a substantial impact in the media, having authored more than 30 books and featuring in 40 films, including two IMAX productions. She has been interviewed multiple times for CGTN, a Chinese news network, but her work in China is under-publicised, and a feature documentary covering her impact in China is long overdue. Jane Goodall’s ethos can be summarised in her own words: “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help shall all be saved.”

Though the title of “diplomat” does not often rank among Jane’s many labels, her ability to compassionately look for similarities whilst respecting differences, among both humans and animals, is a lesson in the art of diplomacy.

In a world that often seems driven by conflict, this approach is one that everyone can learn from, whether scientist, filmmaker, journalist, or anything beyond.

Feature Image courtesy Jane Goodall (Beijing) Center.