Jane Goodall

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Jane Goodall
Dr. Jane Goodall in Hong Kong University.
Dr. Jane Goodall in Hong Kong University.
Born 3 April 1934
London, England
Residence England, Kenya
Nationality British
Field Biologist, Primatologist, Conservationist
Alma mater University of Cambridge
Known for Study of Chimpanzees, conservation
Notable prizes DBE (2004)

Dame Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall, DBE (born April 3, 1934) is an English primatologist, ethologist and anthropologist. She is probably best-known for her study of chimpanzee social and family life in Gombe National Park for 45 years, and for founding The Jane Goodall Institute.

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[edit] Biography

Jane Goodall was born as Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall in London, England. As a child she was given a life-like chimpanzee toy named Jubilee by her father, although friends believed it would scare her. Today, the toy still sits on her dresser in London. After the divorce of her parents when Goodall was only 12, she moved with her mother to Bournemouth.

It was while in Bournemouth that Goodall first met up with distinguished wildlife authority Sir David Attenborough, who taught her the importance of the higher order primates, and impressed upon her the need to defend the fragile biosphere.

Goodall was interested in animals from her youth; this prompted noted anthropologist Louis Leakey to hire her as his assistant/secretary. He invited her to accompany him and his wife Mary Leakey to dig at Olduvai Gorge. Eventually he asked Jane to study the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream National Park (then known as Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve). She arrived at Gombe in July, 1960. Leakey arranged for Goodall to return to the UK where she earned a doctorate in ethology from the University of Cambridge in 1964. Along with Dian Fossey, famous for living with gorillas, and Biruté Galdikas, who advanced studies in orangutans, Goodall was one of three women recently dubbed by some as "Leakey's Angels".

Goodall has been married twice. In 1964 she married aristocratic wildlife photographer Baron Hugo van Lawick, becoming Baroness Jane van Lawick-Goodall. The couple had a son, Hugo, affectionately known as 'Grub', who was born in 1967. They divorced in 1974. In 1975 she married Derek Bryceson, (a member of Tanzania’s parliament and the director of that country’s national parks), and they remained married until his death in 1979.

Goodall has received many honors for her environmental and humanitarian work as well as others. She was named a Dame Commander of the British Empire in a ceremony held in Buckingham Palace in 2004. In April 2002, Secretary-General Kofi Annan named Dr Goodall a United Nations Messenger of Peace. Her other honors include the French Legion of Honor, Medal of Tanzania, Japan's prestigious Kyoto Prize, the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science, and the Gandhi-King Award for Nonviolence. She is also a member of the advisory board of BBC Wildlife magazine.

[edit] Professional accomplishments

Orphaned by poachers, young chimpanzees are raised by volunteers and researchers at the Tchimpounga Sanctuary (part of the JGI) in the Republic of the Congo.
Orphaned by poachers, young chimpanzees are raised by volunteers and researchers at the Tchimpounga Sanctuary (part of the JGI) in the Republic of the Congo.

Goodall is best-known for her study of chimpanzee social and family life. In 1977, Goodall established the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), which supports the Gombe research and is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. With 19 offices around the world, the Institute is widely recognized for innovative, community-centered conservation and development programs in Africa and a global youth program, Roots & Shoots, which currently has over 8,000 groups in 96 countries. Today, Dr Goodall devotes virtually all of her time to advocating on behalf of chimpanzees and the environment, traveling nearly 300 days a year. Goodall was instrumental in the study of social learning, primate cognition, thinking and culture in wild chimpanzees, their differentiation from the bonobo, and the inclusion of both species along with the gorilla as Hominids.

One of Goodall's major contributions to the field of primatology was the discovery of tool making in chimpanzees. She discovered that some chimpanzees alter pieces of grass or twigs and then poke them into termite mounds. The termites would grab onto the blade of grass or twig with their mandibles and the chimpanzees would then just pull the grass out and eat the termites. Though many animals had been observed using "tools", previously, only humans were thought to make tools, and tool-making was considered the defining difference between humans and other animals. This discovery convinced several scientists to reconsider their definition of being human. Another characteristic of the chimpanzee that Goodall discovered was their cooperative hunting of red colobus monkeys.

Goodall also set herself apart from the traditional conventions of the time in her study of primates by naming the animals she studied, instead of assigning each a number. This numbering was a nearly universal practice at the time, and thought to be important in the removal of one's self from the potential for emotional attachment to the subject being studied.

[edit] Criticism

Modern primatologists have become aware of possible flaws in Goodall's methodology which may call into question the validity of some of her observations. The use of feeding stations to attract Gombe chimpanzees is, in particular, thought by some to have altered normal foraging and feeding patterns as well as social relationships (Power 1991). Higher levels of aggression and conflict with other chimpanzee groups in the area have also been suggested as being consequences of the feeding (Power 1991), which could have created the "wars" between chimpanzee social groups described by Goodall. Thus, some regard Goodall's observations as distortions of normal chimpanzee behavior. However, the following website [1] provides a critique of Margaret Powers' assertions as discussed in her book, "The Egalitarians - Human and Chimpanzee." Goodall, herself (on several occasions) acknowledged that feeding contributed to aggression within and between groups but claims that the effect was limited to alteration of the intensity and not the nature of chimpanzee conflict and further that feeding was necessary for the study to be effective at all.

[edit] References in popular culture

Goodall was parodied in an episode of The Simpsons, "Simpson Safari" (as "Joan Bushwell") where she is portrayed as enslaving Chimpanzees to serve as diamond miners. An episode of Taz-Mania featured a character named "Jane" who studied the family of Tasmanian devils who star in the Saturday morning cartoon series. Just as the real Goodall invented names for her chimpanzee subjects, the character she inspired also creates alternate names for the animal subjects. Her character comically ignores the family's culture and believes that Taz is the most intelligent of the group, though it is obvious to the viewer that he is not.

Dr. Goodall is honored by the Walt Disney company with a plaque on the The Tree of Life at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom theme park, along-side a carving of her beloved David Greybeard, the original chimp who approached Goodall during her first year at Gombe.[2] The story goes that when she was invited to visit the developing Animal Kingdom park as a consultant and saw the Tree of Life, she didn't see a chimp as part of the tree. To rectify this situation, the Imagineers added the carving of David Graybeard and the plaque honoring her at the entrance to the It's Tough to be a Bug show.

The cartoonist Gary Larson once drew a cartoon that showed two chimpanzees grooming. One finds a human hair on the other and inquires, "Conducting a little more 'research' with that Jane Goodall tramp?" The Jane Goodall Institute thought this was in bad taste, and had their lawyers draft a letter to Larson and his distribution syndicate, in which they described the cartoon as an "atrocity." They were stymied, however, by Goodall herself, who revealed that she found the cartoon amusing. Since then, all profits from sales of a shirt featuring this cartoon go to the Goodall Institute.

In 1988, cartoonist Gary Larson visited Gombe National Park and was attacked by Frodo, a chimp described by Goodall as a "bully." Larson escaped with cuts and bruises. Frodo was born in 1976, named and studied by Jane Goodall, who often noted Frodo being prone to angry fits of rage.

A character modeled on Goodall also appeared in the television show Naturally, Sadie, where she is Sadie's hero.

Jane Goodall also appeared on the Nickelodeon show "The Wild Thornberry's"

[edit] Animal rights activism

Goodall is an animal rights activist and is President of Advocates for Animals, an animal rights organization based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Advocates for Animals campaigns against the use of animals in medical research, zoos, farming and sport.

[edit] Awards

  • 1980: Order of the Golden Ark, World Wildlife Award for Conservation
  • 1984: J. Paul Getty Wildlife Conservation Prize
  • 1985: Living Legacy Award from the International Women's League
  • Society of the United States; Award for Humane Excellence, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  • 1987: Albert Schweitzer Prize
  • 1989: Encyclopaedia Britannica Award for Excellence on the Dissemination of Learning for the Benefit of Mankind; Anthropologist of the Year Award
  • 1990: The AMES Award, American Anthropologist Association; Whooping Crane Conservation Award, Conoco, Inc.; Gold Medal of the Society of Women Geographers; Inamori Foundation Award; Washoe Award; The Kyoto Prize in Basic Science
  • 1991: The Edinburgh Medal
  • 1993: Rainforest Alliance Champion Award
  • 1994: Chester Zoo Diamond Jubilee Medal
  • 1995: Commander of the British Empire, presented by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; The National Geographic Society Hubbard Medal for Distinction in Exploration, Discovery, and Research; Lifetime Achievement Award, In Defense of Animals; The Moody Gardens Environmental Award; Honorary Wardenship of Uganda National Parks
  • 1996: The Zoological Society of London Silver Medal; The Tanzanian Kilimanjaro Medal; The Primate Society of Great Britain Conservation Award; The Caring Institute Award; The Polar Bear Award; William Proctor Prize for Scientific Achievement
  • 1997: John & Alice Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement; David S. Ingells, Jr. Award for Excellence; Common Wealth Award for Public Service; The Field Museum's Award of Merit; Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement; Royal Geographical Society / Discovery Channel Europe Award for A Lifetime of Discovery
  • 1998: Disney's Animal Kingdom Eco Hero Award; National Science Board Public Service Award; The Orion Society’s John Hay Award
  • 1999: International Peace Award; Botanical Research Institute of Texas International Award of Excellence in Conservation, Community of Christ International Peace Award
  • 2001: Graham J. Norton Award for Achievement in Increasing Community Livability; Rungius Award of the National Museum of Wildlife Art, USA; Roger Tory Peterson Memorial Medal, Harvard Museum of Natural History; Master Peace Award; Gandhi/King Award for Non-Violence
  • 2002: The Huxley Memorial Medal, Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland; United Nations “Messenger of Peace” Appointment
  • 2003: Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science; Harvard Medical School's Center for Health and the Global Environment Award; Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Achievement; Dame of the British Empire, presented by His Royal Highness Prince Charles; Chicago Academy of Sciences’ Honorary Environmental Leader Award
  • 2004: Nierenberg Prize for Science in the Public Interest; Will Rogers Spirit Award, the Rotary Club of Will Rogers and Will Rogers Memorial Museums; Life Time Achievement Award, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW); Honorary Degree from Haverford College
  • 2005: Honorary doctorate degree in science from Syracuse University
  • 2005: Presented with Discovery and Imagination Award
  • 2006: Received the 60th Anniversary Medal of the UNESCO and the French Légion d'honneur.

[edit] Publications

[edit] Books for adults

  • 1970 My Friends the Wild Chimpanzees Washington, DC: National Geographic Society
  • 1971 Innocent Killers (with H. van Lawick). Boston: Houghton Mifflin; London: Collins.
  • 1971 In the Shadow of Man Boston: Houghton Mifflin; London: Collins. Published in 48 languages.
  • 1986 The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior Boston: Bellknap Press of the Harvard University Press. Published also in Japanese and Russian. R.R. Hawkins Award for the Outstanding Technical, Scientific or Medical book of 1986, to Bellknap Press of Harvard University Press, Boston. The Wildlife Society (USA) Award for "Outstanding Publication in Wildlife Ecology and Management".
  • 1990 Through a Window: 30 years observing the Gombe chimpanzees London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson; Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Translated into more than 15 languages. 1991 Penguin edition, UK. American Library Association "Best" list among Nine Notable Books (Nonfiction) for 1991.
  • 1993 Visions of Caliban (co-authored with Dale Peterson, Ph.D.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. New York Times "Notable Book" for 1993. Library Journal "Best Sci-Tech Book" for 1993.
  • 1999 Brutal Kinship (with Michael Nichols). New York: Aperture Foundation.
  • 1999 Reason For Hope; A Spiritual Journey (with Phillip Berman). New York: Warner Books, Inc. Translated into Japanese.
  • 2000 40 Years At Gombe New York: Stewart, Tabori, and Chang.
  • 2000 Africa In My Blood (edited by Dale Peterson). New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
  • 2001 Beyond Innocence: An Autobiography in Letters, the later years (edited by Dale Peterson). New York: Houghton Mifflin Company
  • 2002 The Ten Trusts: What We Must Do To Care for the Animals We Love (with Marc Bekoff). San Francisco: Harper San Francisco
  • 2005 Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating New York: Warner Books, Inc. ISBN 0-446-53362-9

[edit] Children's books

  • 1972 Grub: The Bush Baby (with H. van Lawick). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
  • 1988 My Life with the Chimpanzees New York: Byron Preiss Visual Publications, Inc. Translated into French, Japanese and Chinese. Parenting's Reading-Magic Award for "Outstanding Book for Children," 1989.
  • 1989 The Chimpanzee Family Book Saxonville, MA: Picture Book Studio; Munich: Neugebauer Press; London: Picture Book Studio. Translated into more than 15 languages, including Japanese and Kiswahili. The UNICEF Award for the best children's book of 1989. Austrian state prize for best children's book of 1990.
  • 1989 Jane Goodall's Animal World: Chimps New York: Macmillan.
  • 1989 Animal Family Series: Chimpanzee Family; Lion Family; Elephant Family; Zebra Family; Giraffe Family; Baboon Family; Hyena Family; Wildebeest Family Toronto: Madison Marketing Ltd.
  • 1994 With Love New York / London: North-South Books. Translated into German, French, Italian, and Japanese.
  • 1999 Dr. White (illustrated by Julie Litty). New York: North-South Books.
  • 2000 The Eagle & the Wren (illustrated by Alexander Reichstein). New York: North-South Books.
  • 2001 Chimpanzees I Love: Saving Their World and Ours New York: Scholastic Press
  • 2004 Rickie and Henri: A True Story (with Alan Marks) Penguin Young Readers Group

[edit] Films

  • n/a Miss Goodall: The Hyena Story
  • 1963 ''Miss Goodall and the Wild Chimpanzees National Geographic Society
  • 1984 Among the Wild Chimpanzees National Geographic Special
  • 1988 People of the Forest with Hugo van Lawick
  • 1990 Chimpanzee Alert in the Nature Watch Series, Central Television
  • 1990 Chimps, So Like Us HBO film nominated for 1990 Academy Award
  • 1990 The Life and Legend of Jane Goodall National Geographic Society.
  • 1990 The Gombe Chimpanzees Bavarian Television
  • 1995 Fifi's Boys for the Natural World series for the BBC
  • 1996 Chimpanzee Diary for BBC2 Animal Zone
  • 1997 Animal Minds for BBC
  • 2000 Jane Goodall: Reason For Hope PBS special produced by KTCA
  • 2001 Chimps R Us PBS special Scientific Frontiers.
  • 2002 Jane Goodall’s Wild Chimpanzees (IMAX format), in collaboration with Science North
  • 2005 Jane Goodall’s Return to Gombe for Animal Planet

(This list is mostly taken from http://www.janegoodall.org/jane/pub.asp.)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Power, Margaret (1991). The Egalitarians - Human and Chimpanzee An Anthropological: View of Social Organization. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521400163. 

"skeptics attributed chimpanzee ‘warfare’ to competition over the food that researchers provided" (Frans B. M. de Waal, Nature, Sept 2005)

  • Peterson, Dale (2006): Jane Goodall. The woman who redefined man. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, ISBN 978-0395854051

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME Goodall, Jane
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Biologist, Primatologist, Conservationist
DATE OF BIRTH 3 April 1934
PLACE OF BIRTH London, UK
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../j/a/n/Jane_Goodall_49a7.html"