Jane Goodall: An Ethologist at Her Best

“Walking out on the plains — the smell, the animals, the wildness… it was just complete magic,’’ is the conviction of Jane Goodall, the world-famous ethologist and conservationist. Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall, popularly known as Jane Goodall, is the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees, and her research on the species over 55 years has brought about ground-breaking discoveries that have changed humanity’s understanding of its role in the natural world.

Jane was born in Bournemouth, England, on 3 April 1934 to Mortimer and Vanne. For her first birthday, her father gifted her a toy chimpanzee which she named Jubilee and carried it with her everywhere. Jane grew up with a natural love for the outdoors and animals. The Story of Doctor Dolittle, The Jungle Book and Tarzan, featuring people who were close to animals and could communicate with them, were her favourite books. As a child, she dreamt of living in Africa to study and write about animals.

Unable to afford college after graduation, Jane worked for years as a secretary, waitress and a filmmaker’s assistant, saving every penny she earned for the realization of her dream.

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