WASHINGTON, D.C.―Humane World for Animals, formally known as the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International, mourn the loss of Jane Goodall DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and U.N. Messenger of Peace. The primatologist’s name became synonymous with conservation and animal protection due to her contributions to improving the lives of animals, including wild chimpanzees and primates used in laboratory experiments for medical research.
“Jane Goodall made history by inspiring generations of people to love animals and to care deeply about their welfare. For decades, she educated the public about the sentient nature of primates and advocated fiercely on behalf of those used in laboratory experiments. She used her voice and expertise to advocate for the protection of all animals and their habitats,” said Kitty Block, president and CEO of Humane World for Animals. “Goodall’s influence on the animal protection community is immeasurable, and her work on behalf of primates and all animals will never be forgotten.”
“I was lucky enough to have known Jane and worked with her on numerous collaborations to help animals over the years—chimps, pangolins, elephants and more. Jane cared about all animals passionately. And she was able to use that passion to inspire others—children in particular,” said Jeffrey Flocken, chief international officer of Humane World for Animals. “She once spent two hours with my young daughter, telling her stories about her adventures with animals and the challenges of being a young woman pioneering biological research in the field when conservation was still an emerging profession. She was a brilliant and inspiring woman, but she also had a fun side—one of my fondest memories is watching her being serenaded by singer Dave Matthews at her 80th birthday party, drinking whiskey and spending time talking with each of the guests gathered there to celebrate her incredible career so far. She is one of the most recognizable people on the planet, and history's most iconic animal welfarist and conservationist, and I am incredibly fortunate to have known her.”
Humane World for Animals and Humane World Action Fund were honored to have worked with Goodall over the course of multiple decades, including a period when she served as a board member back in 1993, 1994 and 1995. Some of those collaborations included:
- 1987: Goodall co-petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with Humane World for Animals to list chimpanzees as endangered.
- 1988: Humane World for Animals presented Goodall with the Joseph Wood Krutch Award, then the organization’s highest honor.
- 2000: Goodall testified in support of the CHIMP Act, which led to the creation of the primate sanctuary Chimp Haven. She also testified on amendments to the CHIMP Act in 2007 and 2013.
- 2008-2015: Goodall, Humane World for Animals and other organizations successfully pressed the National Institutes of Health to stop funding for invasive chimp research.
- 2011: Goodall joined Humane World for Animals to urge the British government not to weaken its ban on using great apes in research when the new European Union animal experiments directive was transposed into national legislation.
- 2011: Goodall joined Humane World for Animals and a coalition of animal groups to present a petition to the European Parliament calling for the replacement of animals in experiments.
- 2011: Humane World for Animals and the Jane Goodall Institute China’s Roots and Shoots Beijing program teamed up with the Beijing Zoo to promote shark protection.
- 2013: Goodall recorded a video message for Humane World for Animals asking the UK government to end the badger cull.
- 2016: Humane World for Animals, the Jane Goodall Institute and a coalition of animal groups spearheaded a plan to care for more than 60 chimpanzees in Liberia who had been used in experiments for decades; Humane World for Animals pledged itself to their lifetime care thereafter.
- 2018: Goodall joined with 49 other veterinary and animal behavior specialists to urge the UK government to introduce a ban on fur imports and sales.
- 2019: Goodall joined Humane World for Animals to urge the European Union not to overturn a ban on the capturing of wild baby African elephants for export to zoos and circuses.
- 2021: Goodall delivered the keynote speech at a virtual event to mark the 75th anniversary of the International Whaling Commission. She described a 50-year vision for a conservation-focused future, authored by a coalition of organizations, including Humane World for Animals.
The world will remember Jane Goodall for her compassion for animals, her intelligent mind that sought to educate the public about animal welfare, and her passion for making the world a safer, kinder and fairer place for animals.
