Tributes poured in worldwide following the death of world-renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, who passed away at the age of 91 due to natural causes in California while on a speaking tour in the US.

A statement from her official Facebook page read, “The Jane Goodall Institute has learned this morning that Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, has passed away due to natural causes. Dr. Goodall’s discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world.”

Dr. Goodall, a British scientist, was celebrated for her pioneering field research on chimpanzees in Tanzania, which transformed the world’s understanding of how our closest animal relatives live, socialize, and think. Her conservation advocacy left an enduring impact on wildlife protection and environmental awareness globally.

The United Nations mourned her passing on X, calling her “a scientist, conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace” whose life-long work created an extraordinary legacy for both humanity and nature.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, a close friend and fellow conservationist, described her as “a true hero for the planet” and praised her dedication to giving a voice to wild animals and ecosystems.

Encyclopaedia Britannica also paid tribute, noting that Dr. Goodall earned a Ph.D. without an undergraduate degree—a rarity that allowed her to study chimpanzees with an unbiased and open mind, producing groundbreaking insights.

Even in her final days, Dr. Goodall remained active, traveling across the US to advocate for conservation and inspire new generations of environmentalists. Her passing marks the end of an era for wildlife research, but her legacy continues to shape global conservation efforts.