Jane Goodall, the beloved primatologist and lifelong advocate for animals and the environment, has passed away at 91 while on a speaking tour in California.
She died of natural causes, still doing what she loved—sharing her message with the world.
Among the many deeply affected by her passing is actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio, who shared a moving tribute to his “dear friend” and longtime fellow United Nations Messenger of Peace.
“Jane Goodall devoted her life to protecting our planet and giving a voice to the wild animals and the ecosystems they inhabit,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Her groundbreaking research on Chimpanzees in Tanzania transformed our understanding of how our closest relatives live, socialise, and think—reminding us that we are deeply connected not only to Chimpanzees and the other great apes, but to all life.” Leonardo continued.
Their friendship went beyond shared causes. Just recently, the two worked together as executive producers on Howl, a live-action film that tells the story of a dog and a wolf through the eyes of the animals themselves.
It was yet another example of how Jane never stopped finding new ways to connect people with the natural world.
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DiCaprio’s tribute captures what made her so remarkable—not just her science, but her spirit: “For decades, Jane travelled the world with tireless energy, awakening generations to the wonder of the natural world. She spoke directly to the next generation, instilling hope, responsibility, and the belief that every individual can make a difference. She inspired millions to care, to act, and to hope. She never stopped. My deepest condolences to her family.”
He urged his followers to “join me in honouring her legacy” by supporting the Jane Goodall Institute and other conservation efforts.
He ended his post with a message that speaks for many: “My last message to Jane was simple: ‘You are my hero.’ Now, we all must carry the torch for her in protecting our one shared home.”
Jane was just 26 when she set off alone from England to Tanzania in 1960, breaking into a male-dominated field and changing the course of science and conservation forever.
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