Jane Goodall is one of the World's most famous scientists. Her pioneering study of wild chimpanzees, begun over 40 years ago in Tanzania, revolutionised how we think about both chimpanzees and ourselves. Her research in Africa continues to this day and is the longest field study ever undertaken of any group of animals in the wild. Today, however, Jane combines her scientific work with international advocacy on behalf of chimps and the environment.
Chimpanzees are our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. They are highly intelligent, social apes, found only in Africa. They share over 98% of their genetic material with us, communicate, and express many of the same emotions that we do. Sadly though, while the number of human beings inhabiting the planet continue to grow, chimpanzee numbers are falling.
They are threatened by hunting, loss of forests and illegal capture. Many are still forced to lead miserable lives in squalid zoos or are kept confined in laboratories, the subjects of invasive medical experiments.
We are working to prevent their extinction, through conservation, research and education.
Jane talks exclusively, from her home in Bournemouth, about the last 50 years, on CNN 2nd Feb 2010:
Jane Goodall's latest book, 'Hope for Animals and Their World' is now available from the JGI-UK Giftshop. Please click here to go through to the JGI giftshop.
For their generous support we would like to offer our sincere thanks to:
BBC Wildlife Fund
Blue Sky Foundation
Please consider making a donation to the Jane Goodall Institute UK through the GlobalGiving website.