The Jane Goodall Institute made the announcement of the primatologist’s passing via an Instagram post. They stated that Goodall died of natural causes while she was on a speaking tour in California, USA.

The Institute praised her discoveries, stating they “transformed science,” and commended her relentless dedication to safeguarding and restoring the environment.

Goodall once remarked, “To effectively change attitudes, you must touch people’s hearts. This is achieved through storytelling, not intellectual debates,” during her inaugural episode.

In recent years, Goodall expressed concerns about the aggressive approaches of some climate activists, suggesting such methods might have adverse effects. She also criticized the spread of “gloom and doom” messages, which she believed led young people to feel hopeless.

As a proactive measure before the 2024 elections, she co-launched the initiative “Vote for Nature,” aimed at encouraging voters to support candidates dedicated to environmental conservation.

She also built a strong social media presence, posting to millions of followers about the need to end factory farming or offering tips on avoiding being paralysed by the climate crisis.

Her advice: “Focus on the present and make choices today whose impact will build over time.”