Dr. Jane Goodall: From jungle dreams to global icon
BY LA Stories Staff Inglewood
PUBLISHED 6:00 AM PT Apr. 28, 2025
Dr. Jane Goodall was born in England with a deep love for animals, but reading stories about Tarzan sparked her dream of one day living in the wilds of Africa.
In her 20s, her dream became a groundbreaking reality.
Goodall’s journey began when the famed anthropologist Dr. Louis Leakey recognized her unique connection with animals and sent her to study chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania — an unprecedented mission, especially for a woman at the time.
Goodall would go on to defy expectations and blaze a trail as one of the most renowned primatologists in history.
“How did I get to be who I am? Because it was no desire of mine,” she said. “I just wanted really to stay in the rainforest with the chimpanzees and then realizing that their numbers were dropping and the forests were disappearing, I just knew I had to try and do something and look where I am now.”
In a new episode of “LA Stories with Giselle Fernandez,” Goodall shares incredible stories about her life in the jungle. She was the first to document chimpanzees using tools to gather food — something once considered uniquely human. Her work revealed that chimps experience emotions, form strong social bonds, and display a remarkable depth of intelligence.
Goodall’s groundbreaking discoveries gained international acclaim, earning her praise and a global audience through films captured by her husband, a wildlife photographer.
“There were male scientists who said, ‘She’s not a scientist, and it’s only because she has nice legs,'” she said. “So today, you’d be sued if you said that, but back then, all I wanted was the money and the opportunity to go on studying chimps. So, thank you, legs.”
Beyond her scientific achievements, Goodall has become a global icon of conservation and compassion. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute, which runs conservation and community-centered programs around the world.
Among her proudest achievements is Roots & Shoots, a youth-driven program empowering young people to become environmental leaders.
Now in her 90s, Goodall continues to travel the globe, advocating tirelessly for the planet and all its inhabitants. Her legacy is etched in scientific history and the hearts of those she inspires to protect the natural world.
“We’re faced with people who want to destroy the planet for their own personal gain and greed,” she said. “And we’ve got to rise up, raise a fighting spirit in people, not to be aggressive and nasty and violent, but to speak out, to be strong, and to uphold their values.”