Happy Birthday, Jane Goodall!
Famed scientist Jane Goodall celebrated her 90th birthday in April.
Fernando Turmo/The Jane Goodall Institute
Jane Goodall poses with a chimpanzee named Le Vieille.
Jane Goodall has spent her life connecting with and learning about the natural world. When Goodall turned 90, on April 3, 2024, she had a message of hope for our planet and all living things.
Goodall first became famous for her observations of chimpanzees in the wild. Beginning in 1960, Goodall saw chimpanzees using tools to get their food, lovingly holding their babies, and, at times, fighting each other. She concluded that these animals were far more intelligent and complicated than people had assumed. Since then, scientists have drawn similar conclusions about many other species. Over the years, Goodall began to focus on protecting animals and their habitats, or the places where they live.
Today, Goodall continues this work, along with the Jane Goodall Institute, which she founded in 1977. The institute helps not just animals but people as well. As Goodall says, “Everything’s connected.” People, animals, and the environment affect each other. They also need each other.
Ramon Van Flyman—ANP/Alamy
Goodall travels around the world, speaking to the public about the need to protect our planet and all its living things.
Goodall used her 90th birthday as an opportunity to remind people about the importance of connecting with nature, especially as we work to slow climate change.
“I always encourage people to become involved in some project they care about, whatever it happens to be,” Goodall said in a video released by Rivian, a company that makes electric cars. “That begins to give you hope. Hope is about taking action to make the world a better place.”
