Remembering Dr. Jane

1934 - 2025

Dr. Jane Goodall, renowned ethologist, conservationist and animal behaviour expert passed away at age 91

Dr. Jane Goodall

Dr. Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, was a remarkable example of courage and conviction, working tirelessly throughout her life to raise awareness about threats to wildlife, promote conservation, and inspire a more harmonious, sustainable relationship between people, animals and the natural world.

The Jane Goodall Institute’s founder, Dr. Jane Goodall, age 91 who passed away of natural causes in Los Angeles, CA while on her speaking tour in the United States. Dr. Jane’s life and work not only made an indelible mark on our understanding of chimpanzees and other species, but also of humankind and the environments we all share. She inspired curiosity, hope and compassion in countless people around the world, and paved the way for many others - particularly young people who gave her hope for the future.

In 1960 Dr. Jane established the longest running wild chimpanzee study in Gombe National Park, Tanzania which continues to this day. She pioneered and sustained the Jane Goodall Institute’s community-centered conservation initiatives across the chimpanzee range for decades. Her legacy includes the creation of JGI’s international environmental and humanitarian youth program Roots & Shoots which is actively driving change in nearly 75 countries around the world.

The groundbreaking scientific discoveries and methods established by Dr. Jane are expansive and helped to remove barriers for women in science and other fields. Dr. Jane’s breakthrough and most famed observation of tool-use in non-human animals is known as the moment that “redefined humankind”. This finding was followed by many others during her research of wild chimpanzees, including the existence of strong mother-infant bonds, meat-eating and hunting, primitive warfare, altruism, and compassion. Dr. Jane’s findings also influenced fields of human health, evolution, and ecology. Her passion and ingenuity made Jane a singular figure in scientific and philosophical thought.

Having served as a UN Messenger of Peace since 2002, Dr. Jane’s recent efforts were marked by her tireless commitment to sharing her message of hope and inspiring individuals around the world to take action and make a difference, every day. As a fierce advocate, she supported innumerable causes and organisations over her lifetime, using her platform to support human rights, animal welfare, species and environmental protection, and many other crucial issues. Her podcast The Hopecast reached millions, and she travelled approximately 300 days a year inspiring audiences worldwide with her reasons for hope.

Dr. Jane's vision-turned-mission lives on as the Jane Goodall Institute, which has chapters in 25 countries around the world. The global organisation will continue to uphold and expand Dr. Jane’s holistic approach to involve local communities in conservation efforts using the latest science and technology to promote understanding, conservation, and welfare of wild and captive apes. The Roots & Shoots program, one of Dr. Jane’s most beloved initiatives, will continue to empower young people to live as compassionate citizens, and become our much-needed future conservation leaders.

From Chairman of the
Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong:
Honoring Dr. Jane Legacy of Hope

To all of our friends, partners and sponsors,

We all, at the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong, are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, our founder, UN Messenger of Peace, and an inspiration to millions around the world. Her groundbreaking work and unwavering commitment to people, animals, and our planet changed the way we understand our shared future.

Dr. Goodall always believed in the power of hope, the hope that together we can build a better world for all living beings. The board and the team in Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong will continue to honor her legacy by carrying forward that mission and her programs like Roots & Shoots with dedication and purpose. Our thoughts are with her family, her colleagues at JGI worldwide, and the global community she inspired.

Ericson Chan
Chairman of the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong

Jane’s Message to Hong Kong

Paying tribute to Dr. Jane Goodall:
From her first visit to Hong Kong to igniting hope across generations, the "Roots & Shoots" she planted in Hong Kong continue to flourish

Dr. Jane Goodall's tireless spirit, which inspired youth activism, promoted community conservation, and empowered the elderly, has awakened a cross-generational commitment to sustainable development in Hong Kong.

October 2, 2025 — The Jane Goodall Institute (Hong Kong) sadly announces that our founder and UN Messenger of Peace, Dr. Jane Goodall, passed away on October 1st in the United States at the age of 91. The Institute extends its deepest condolences to friends of nature around the world and reflects on Dr. Goodall's profound connection with Hong Kong. We have been witnesses to how she inspired us to forge a unique conservation path that combines the power of youth with the wisdom of the elderly.

Dr. Jane visited Hong Kong many times, bringing with her boundless inspiration. She once said, “Every individual, every day, can make a difference.” Her personal example not only helped Hong Kong play a more active role in the global conservation network but also allowed countless young people to find hope in "Roots & Shoots" and our senior citizens to discover their value in passing on their knowledge. We will continue her legacy, ensuring that her belief in "hope through action" continues to sprout and flourish in Hong Kong's communities and schools.

To continue and support the hope and spirit of Jane

Dr. Jane Historical Footprints in Hong Kong

Establishment of the Hong Kong Branch and the "Roots & Shoots" Program (2002)

After the Hong Kong branch was established in 2002, Dr. Jane visited again to personally review the local progress of the "Roots & Shoots" program. She met with teachers and students from multiple schools, and her personal encouragement greatly boosted the program's popularity in Hong Kong's schools.

Large-Scale
Public Exhibition (2019)

In a collaboration with the Hong Kong Science Museum, our branch organized a major special exhibition titled "Becoming Jane: Inspiring a Shared Planet". This successful event effectively promoted Dr. Goodall's conservation philosophy and scientific contributions to a wider public audience in Hong Kong.

Journey of
Passing on Hope (2024)

Last year, Dr. Jane returned to Hong Kong with a theme of "Passing on Hope". She not only held a large public lecture, but her documentary, "Jane Goodall - Reasons for Hope", was also screened at the Hong Kong Space Museum, delivering her message of hope to tens of thousands of viewers.

Core Work of the Hong Kong Association:
Passing on the Spirit, Implementing Locally

Dr. Jane Goodall's visits and inspiration laid the foundation for our core work.

Her spirit is now being carried on and put into practice through the following local core initiatives:

Roots & Shoots Program

As our flagship program, we partner with primary and secondary schools as well as communities across Hong Kong. We encourage young people to form "Roots & Shoots" groups to independently design and carry out service projects for their community, animals, and the environment. Through these actions, they develop empathy and leadership skills.

Elderly Empowerment

Inspired by Dr. Jane personal example, our association launched a unique "Elderly Empowerment" program. We train enthusiastic seniors to become mentors in environmental education, allowing them to share Dr. Goodall’s spirit with children, youth, and the public. These initiatives connect the wisdom of our elders with the youthful energy of "Roots & Shoots," creating true "intergenerational harmony."

Little Jane SDGs Academy

To systematically introduce the concept of sustainable development to even younger children, we established the "Little Jane Goodall Sustainability Academy." The curriculum is based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and uses hands-on, experiential learning to plant the seeds of caring for the Earth in children's hearts.