Jane Goodall was a scientist who studied chimpanzees. She spent almost 30 years observing chimpanzees in the wild in Africa. She was known for patiently watching and waiting for groups of chimpanzees to get used to her presence. Dr. Goodall’s technique was effective, and she made several important discoveries.
She observed chimpanzees using objects as tools. For example, she saw a chimpanzee using blades of grass to get termites out of a hole in the ground. She also saw chimpanzees make their own tools. They would remove the leaves from small twigs. Then, they would use the twigs to dig for ants or termites. Until Dr. Goodall’s observations, humans were the only living things known to use and make tools. Since Dr. Goodall’s reports, other scientists have observed chimpanzees using stones to break open nut shells and fruit. They have been observed using larger sticks to scare away other animals.
Dr. Goodall also determined that chimpanzees were omnivores (animals that eat both plants and animals). Before her observations, scientists thought chimpanzees were herbivores (animals that only eat plants). Chimpanzees eat fruit, nuts, seeds, and leaves. They also eat insects, eggs, birds, and mice.
Later in her career, Dr. Goodall worked to conserve and protect the forest habitats important to chimpanzees. Deforestation (clearing large areas of trees) is a major threat to chimpanzees, limiting habitat and food sources. In 1977, she founded the conservation organization the Jane Goodall Institute. In 1991, she founded Roots & Shoots, another organization that inspires young people to get involved in conservation in their communities.
Dr. Goodall spent the last years of her life continuing to speak around the world and raise awareness about conservation and global issues, including deforestation and climate change.
What Do You Think? What conservation efforts are happening in your area?
Photo Credit: (t)Everett Collection Inc/Alamy Stock Photo, (b)Ferenc Szelepcsenyi/Shutterstock
