Chimpanzees and Jane Goodall

12 Aug

Jane Goodall’s Legacy

Chimpanzee Research at Gombe

Here we explore Jane Goodall’s Pioneering Chimpanzee Research in Gombe. Dr Jane Goodall pioneered Chimpanzee research in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania in the 1960’s. Armed with little more than a notebook and binoculars, her passion for wildlife and unorthodox method of immersing herself in the chimpanzees of Gombe’s lives led to her discovery that these creatures were, like us, individuals with emotions and long term bonds. Her discovery that they made and used tools changed the way humans viewed animals altogether.

Jane Goodall Institute

All this is generally well known, but this is just a small part of her incredible legacy. The Jane Goodall Institute  devotes its time to saving ecosystems throughout the world. And also empowering communities to take part in sustainable initiatives including the famous Roots & Shoots projects for young people.

In 1900 it is estimated that 1 million chimpanzees lived in the wild. Today there are perhaps just 340,000.

Set up in 1977, the aim of the Jane Goodall Institute is to save chimpanzees of Gombe from extinction. However, it soon became apparent that Gombe was just a small part of what was a rapidly increasing problem of deforestation across Africa. So Jane knew that local communities were key to protecting the chimpanzees and their habitat. And she was one of the pioneers of the creation of schemes which recognised the importance of local people in protecting animals and the environment.

Roots and Shoots

Her Roots and Shoots program for young people is one of the world’s largest global movements. Which involves the empowerment of thousands of young people wishing to change the world for the better; whether that is by planting trees, eliminating plastic, volunteering in the local community and raising money for disaster victims.

Empowering Local Communities

In Tanzania and Uganda, I have visited numerous JGI local community projects which aim to protect ‘pocket’s of forest which have become isolated ‘islands’, by creating safe corridors between which animals can move. Schools have been relocated away from wildlife areas and classrooms in towns and villages aim to educate the communities, and create a sense of pride about their unique wildlife. It is wonderful to see communities perceiving wildlife as a benefit rather than pests.

Jane Goodall – One Person Can Make a Difference

Today, the institute protects over 5,000 chimpanzees and gorillas, (and by extension, of course other wildlife), and over 130 communities.

Jane herself, is a fantastic example of how just one person with conviction and passion can change the world for the better, and influence so many lives – both animal and human.

Follow in Jane’s footsteps…

How to View Chimps in the Wild?

To travel to Gombe Stream where Jane Goodall’s research all began and view chimpanzees in the wild, ask us about our chimpanzee viewing safaris.