Global tributes pour in for Jane Goodall, 91

Tributes poured in worldwide following the death of Jane Goodall, the celebrated British primatologist and conservation advocate, at the age of 91, AFP reported. Leaders, scientists and environmental groups hailed Goodall’s pioneering fieldwork with chimpanzees in Tanzania’s Gombe National Park, which reshaped scientific understanding of animal behavior—especially her groundbreaking observations that chimpanzees make and use tools. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called Goodall a Messenger of Peace who leaves an extraordinary legacy for humanity and the planet. National Geographic credited her with fundamentally redefining what it means to be human through revelations about our closest relatives, while Greenpeace and other environmental organizations described her as one of the great conservationists of modern times whose influence spanned generations. Tanzanian authorities praised Goodall for placing the country at the center of global primate research and conservation. Animal welfare leaders said her advocacy galvanized public support for wildlife protection and humane treatment. Public figures, including the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, highlighted her humanitarian spirit and personal encouragement of young people to pursue science and environmental stewardship. Colleagues emphasized that Goodall’s work extended beyond research to education and activism, including efforts through the Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots & Shoots program, which mobilized students worldwide. Many tributes urged honoring her memory by protecting forests, preserving habitats and supporting evidence-based conservation policies.