Vale Dr Jane Goodall — why the renowned primatologist and environmentalist held onto hope

02/10/2025 27 min
Vale Dr Jane Goodall — why the renowned primatologist and environmentalist held onto hope

Listen "Vale Dr Jane Goodall — why the renowned primatologist and environmentalist held onto hope"

Episode Synopsis


Primatologist Jane Goodall once said: "It actually doesn't take much to be a difficult woman. That's why there are so many of us." She spoke up. For all the species who go unheard, or unnoticed by humans. She was a giant in the global environmental movement. She first walked into the wild forests of Tanzania as a young woman with no science training and embarked on what is now the longest-running study of chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Her trailblazing fieldwork changed our understanding of other primates and the threat we pose to their continuing existence. It changed her. And it changed the world. At 91, she was still travelling the world right up until her last breath, to help give all other species theirs. She was deeply compassionate, and her campaigns deeply connected with people. Dr Jane Goodall joined Big Ideas host Natasha Mitchell to discuss hope in action the 2022 WOMADelaide Festival. This conversation was originally broadcast on ABC Radio National's Science Friction in May 2022.GuestDr Jane GoodallPrimatologist, environmentalist, naturalistFounder, Jane Goodall InstituteFurther info:The Book of Hope: A survival guide for an endangered planetJane Goodall and Douglas Abrams (Penguin, 2021)Jane Goodall Institute AustraliaRoots and Shoots AustraliaThe Jane Goodall HopecastThanks to the 2022 WOMADelaide Festival.

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