Pictured above: Jane Goodall speaking at a WCS event in 1974. Organized by the Women’s Committee of the New York Zoological Society (now known as the Wildlife Conservation Society), the talk was attended by 2,000 members and guests. Goodall was presented with the Conservation Award by the NYZS Women’s Committee. Credit: WCS

New York, Oct. 1, 2025 – The following tribute was offered by the Wildlife Conservation Society upon the death of Dr. Jane Goodall:

While we mourn the loss of Jane Goodall, we also celebrate the extraordinary gift of her long life and her many achievements. Jane had three qualities that made her unique and allowed her to transcend her discipline, becoming an icon of conservation beyond chimpanzees and beyond Gombe.

First, she understood that her scientific training not only enabled her to make groundbreaking discoveries about chimpanzees but also provided an extraordinary framework for understanding conservation more broadly. Second, she carried a deep and abiding empathy—not only for the chimpanzees she studied, but also for Indigenous Peoples, local communities, schoolchildren around the world, and even political leaders. People sensed this empathy and responded to it. Finally, she recognized that lasting change required inspiration and communication, and she consciously grew into that role. Through the combination of science, empathy, and inspiration, she became a global force for conservation, bringing together and motivating world leaders, scientists, communities, and educators alike.

These three qualities—science, empathy, and a commitment to communication and inspiration—form the heart of Jane’s legacy, and they remain central to how WCS delivers its conservation impact today. We hope to honor her legacy in our continued work to save wildlife and wild places. Thank you, Jane.

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