Jane Goodall Institute Japan - ジェーン・グドール インスティテュート・ジャパン

Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall was born on April 3, 1934, in London. From earliest childhood, Jane’s mother encouraged her fascination with animals. Young Jane immersed herself in books about wild animals and dreamed of a life alongside African wildlife like Tarzan and Dr. Dolittle.

Jane’s Mentor Dr. Louis Leakey

In 1957, Jane eagerly accepted a schoolmate’s invitation to the family farm in Kenya. Within a few months of arriving, she met the famed paleoanthropologist, Dr. Louis Leakey. Dr. Leakey was searching for the right person to study fellow great apes, particularly chimpanzees. This was not only to better understand these little-known primates, but also to gain insight into the evolutionary past of humans, as chimpanzees and humans share a (most recent) common ancestor some 6 million years ago. He was drawn to Jane’s persistent desire to understand animals and believed that a mind uncluttered by the reductionist thinking of ethologists of the time would yield a fresh perspective.

In July 1960, Jane arrived on the shores of Lake Tanganyika in what is now Gombe National Park, Tanzania, East Africa. Everybody said, “How will you do that? You don’t have money. Africa’s far away. It’s a dangerous place and anyway you’re just a girl. Girls don’t do that sort of thing.”, except her mother, who encouraged Jane’s dream.

Jane Arrives in Gombe

Equipped with little more than binoculars, a notebook and her fascination with wildlife, Jane ventured into what was then called the Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve – embarking on a journey that would redefine the relationship between humans and other animals and ultimately help shape the burgeoning strategies of world conservation into the 21st century.

She took an unorthodox approach, immersing herself in the chimpanzee’s habitat. After months of trying to gain their trust, she was able to experience their complex society as a neighbor, rather than a distant observer. She then further defied scientific convention by giving them names instead of numbers. She came to understand them not only as a species, but as individuals with personalities, complex minds, emotions, and long-term bonds.

In 1977, Jane established the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) to advance her vision around the world and for generations to come. JGI continues essential research at Gombe Stream Research Center and is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats through community-led conservation.

The organization also advances best practices in animal welfare, innovative applications of science and technology, and youth empowerment through its Roots & Shoots program, created in 1991. In 1994, JGI launched TACARE, a program supporting locally managed education and socio-economic development together with sustainable natural resource management. In April 2002, Secretary General Kofi Annan named Jane a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

about JGI

Prior to the Pandemic, Jane traveled on average 300 days per year, speaking about the threats facing chimpanzees, other environmental crises, and her reasons for hope. Today, Jane continues to connect with worldwide audiences, despite present challenges, through ‘Virtual Jane’ including remote lectures, recordings, and her podcast, the “Jane Goodall Hopecast.” She shares her message of hope and inspires people worldwide to take action on behalf of people, other animals, and the planet every single day…

“Respect for each other. Respect for the environment. Respect for Animals.”

Jane gave us this vision and started this work. The rest is up to us. Together, with everybody making a difference, we can change the world.

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