Jane Goodall, the world-renowned primatologist and ethologist who revolutionized the study of chimpanzees, passed away on October 1 at the age of 91. She died of natural causes in Los Angeles while on a U.S. speaking tour, the Jane Goodall Institute confirmed.

Goodall transformed primatology by giving individual chimpanzees names instead of numbers, fostering a deeper understanding of their personalities and social lives. Her groundbreaking research in East Africa, chronicled through books and films, reshaped scientific study and captured the public imagination.

In her later years, Goodall became a passionate advocate for conservation, animal welfare, and climate action. She was honoured as a Dame in 2003 and received the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025, leaving a lasting legacy as a scientist and environmental champion.