Jane Goodall

The news of Jane Goodall’s passing was so sad but her legacy will live on forever. Thought I’d share a memory about Jane. I first met her many years ago in Gombe Stream where she carried out her legendary research into chimpanzees. The photo above is of myself, Jane and my friend Caz in Entebbe, Uganda, for Jane’s 80th birthday. When Jane found out I was in Uganda, she messaged me to invite me for breakfast. I asked if it was OK to bring a primatologist with me. When myself & Caz walked in, I hugged Jane and she immediately asked Caz, “Ian tells me you’re an up and coming primatologist, where do you work ?” Caz replied, “Nowhere at the moment but I’ve volunteered on an orangutan project in Indonesia and I love gibbons.” Jane gave Caz her personal email address and not only helped fund Caz’s PHD in gibbons but also wrote the foreword to Caz’s later children’s book on Gibbons. Jane’s kindness, humility and warmth to inspire everyone she met was legendary. And her ability to treat all humans & all animals with love and respect is all the world needs. Simple really?

Jane signed the 1st edition prints of this chimpanzee I photographed in Gombe Stream which is part of my Great Ape collection. I titled it hope as this was such a huge message from Jane about our impact on the world. Her book of hope can be ordered here.