Jane Goodall, the British anthropologist and conservationist whose groundbreaking work with chimpanzees reshaped the field of primatology, has died at the age of 91, as reported by The New York Post.

The Jane Goodall Institute confirmed her passing on Wednesday in a statement posted to social media. According to the organization, Goodall died of natural causes while in California, where she had been participating in a speaking tour.

Today, the UN family mourns the loss of Dr. Jane Goodall.

The scientist, conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace worked tirelessly for our planet and all its inhabitants, leaving an extraordinary legacy for humanity and nature. pic.twitter.com/C0VMRdKufF

— United Nations (@UN) October 1, 2025

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“The Jane Goodall Institute has learned this morning, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, that Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, has passed away due to natural causes,” the announcement read.

“She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States. Dr. Goodall’s discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world.”

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Born in London in 1934, Goodall began her research in Tanzania in 1960 under the mentorship of anthropologist Louis Leakey.

Her observations of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park led to landmark discoveries, including that chimpanzees use tools, a behavior once believed to be uniquely human.

Goodall’s decades of work established her as one of the world’s leading authorities on primate behavior. Her studies challenged conventional scientific thought and opened new discussions about the connections between humans and animals.

In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute, an organization dedicated to wildlife research, conservation, and community-centered environmental programs.

The institute’s Roots & Shoots youth program, launched in 1991, grew into a global movement focused on conservation and humanitarian efforts.

Beyond her scientific achievements, Goodall was a vocal advocate for environmental stewardship. She served as a United Nations Messenger of Peace and spent much of her later career traveling extensively to speak on conservation issues, climate change, and the importance of protecting endangered species.

Her life and work were documented in numerous books, films, and documentaries, including the National Geographic special Jane, which chronicled her early years of research.

Goodall is survived by her son, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick, known as “Grub,” and her grandchildren. Tributes from around the world are expected in recognition of her scientific contributions and lifelong commitment to conservation.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced by her family or the Jane Goodall Institute.

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