CALIFORNIA, Sketsa.id – The scientific and environmental community is in mourning following the announcement that Dr. Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist and conservationist who revolutionized our understanding of chimpanzees and the natural world, has died. She was 91.
The Jane Goodall Institute confirmed the pioneer passed away peacefully from natural causes at her home in California on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
“Her discoveries revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world,” the institute said in an official statement.
News of her passing prompted an immediate and profound outpouring of grief from global leaders, fellow scientists, and public figures who were inspired by her six-decade-long career.
Global Leaders Pay Tribute
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his condolences on social media platform X, stating, “The world has lost a tireless guardian of nature. Jane Goodall changed how we understand animals, and our own humanity. Her advocacy inspired generations and her research revolutionized the field of biology.”
Former U.S. President Barack Obama remembered Goodall as a singularly inspiring figure. “She possessed a remarkable ability to inspire all of humanity to connect with the wonder of our natural world. Her innovative work on primates and the importance of conservation opened doors for generations of women in science. Michelle and I are thinking of all who loved and admired her.”
Justin Trudeau, the former Prime Minister of Canada, shared his sadness, calling Goodall “a pioneer whose research and advocacy changed our understanding of nature. Her wisdom and compassion will live on in every conservation effort.”
In a formal statement, former U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said, “Jane was an activist at heart, whose vision and message of hope mobilized a global movement to protect this planet. Most importantly, Jane taught us all that when we look for humanity in the world around us, we find it within ourselves.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres honored Goodall, a former UN Messenger of Peace, saying she “leaves an extraordinary legacy for humanity and our planet.”
A Legacy That Crossed All Boundaries
The tributes extended far beyond the political sphere, underscoring her wide-reaching impact.
Apple CEO Tim Cook noted, “Jane Goodall was an innovative scientist and leader who taught us all about the beauty and wonder of our world. She never stopped fighting for nature, humanity, and the planet we share.”
Actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio posted a lengthy tribute, highlighting the significance of her early work. “Her innovative research on chimpanzees in Tanzania changed our understanding of how our closest relatives live, socialize, and think—reminding us that we are closely connected not only to chimps and other great apes, but to all life.”
An Enduring Legacy
From her groundbreaking habituation of chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, which began in the 1960s, to her later role as a globetrotting advocate for conservation and youth empowerment through her Roots & Shoots program, Goodall dedicated her life to defending the natural world.
While her passing leaves a void, her immense legacy endures through the millions she inspired and the ongoing work of the institute that bears her name. As the Jane Goodall Institute’s statement concluded, “Her hope and teachings will live on through every life she fought to protect.” (*)
