Her observations broke down centuries-old barriers. She proved that chimpanzees are not strict vegetarians but also hunt and eat meat. Most importantly, she made the discovery that shook the scientific world: she saw a chimpanzee use a blade of grass to "fish" for termites, demonstrating that the ability to make and use tools is not an exclusively human trait. This observation forced scientists to reconsider what it means to be "human."

Jane Goodall taught us that we are not the only species with emotional and intellectual complexity. Through her studies, she showed that the differences between us and other animals are less distinct than once believed, and that differences within the human species are superficial. This led to a greater scientific understanding that the concept of "human races" is a social construct with no biological basis. Her research also revealed the complex emotional and social lives of primates, filled with friendships, family bonds, and even conflicts, urging us to recognize intelligence and emotional complexity in other species as well.

If you have read books like "In the Shadow of Man" or "My Life with the Chimpanzees," you will have realized how Jane's study of chimpanzees allowed us to understand a world that was completely unknown to us, yet so genetically close. With her writing, she introduced us to an unforgettable cast of characters.

Figures like David Greybeard, who was placid and quiet, the grumpy McGregor, or the matriarch Flo and her offspring, were not just research subjects but living beings with whom Jane lived and related. These figures, with their unique and complex personalities, gave us a profound picture of their society and pushed us to reflect on our own. She showed us that, deep down, we are not so different.

A Life Traveling for the Planet
The turning point for Jane came in 1986, during a scientific conference. Faced with evidence of habitat destruction and declining chimpanzee populations, she realized her mission could no longer be limited to research. She left Gombe to become a global voice for animals and the environment.

From that moment on, Jane Goodall never stopped. She dedicated the last decades of her life to traveling the world, giving lectures, meeting with leaders, and, most importantly, speaking with people—from children to scientists. She became a tireless ambassador for peace and conservation, appointed a UN Messenger of Peace. Her message went beyond the simple protection of chimpanzees; it extended to the need to heal our planet, to find a balance between nature and our development. Her energy and lucidity, maintained into her late age, were living proof of her deep passion and unwavering optimism.

Despite her age and having witnessed the devastation that humans are capable of inflicting, Jane Goodall maintained a firm hope for a better world, one where humans understand and respect the planet that hosts them. She always believed that despite the difficulties, human intelligence and compassion could prevail.

Her most profound and powerful message is encapsulated in her famous quote: "You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." Her legacy is a call to choose empathy, to take care of the living world, and to believe that a more just and sustainable future is still possible.

Some of her most significant books:
In the Shadow of Man (1971)

The Chimpanzees of Gombe (1986)

Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey (1999)

The Ten Trusts (2002)

The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times (2021)

 *Board Member, SRSN (Roman Society of Natural Science) Past Editor-in-Chief, Italian Journal of Dermosurgery