Jane Goodall

Did you know chimpanzees can make and use tools—just like people? Jane Goodall watched this happen in the wild. Picture her sitting quietly by the trees, notebook in hand, watching curious chimps fish for termites with small sticks.

Jane Goodall (born 1934) is a British scientist called a primatologist. Beginning in 1960 she lived near wild chimpanzees at Gombe in Tanzania. The most important thing she did was study chimps closely for many years so we could learn their behavior, feelings, and family life. She started without a university degree and later earned a PhD because her discoveries were so important.

Her biggest discoveries showed chimps use tools, hunt for meat, have personalities, and teach each other—behaviors once thought to be only human. Because of Jane, scientists changed how they study animals and many people began protecting chimp homes and forests. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute to save chimps and started Roots & Shoots to help young people take action.

Her work changed our world: animals are seen as more like us, and millions of people now help protect nature because of her voice and example. Today Jane travels, speaks, and inspires kids everywhere to observe, ask questions, and care for wildlife. You can follow her example by learning about animals, joining a local nature group, or planting a tree.