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Jane Goodall: A final, moving visit to Magdeburg!
Jane Goodall left a lasting impression in Magdeburg. Their commitment to animal welfare and environmental perspectives is recognized.
Jane Goodall: A final, moving visit to Magdeburg!
On October 1, 2025, world-renowned British primatologist and activist Jane Goodall died in Los Angeles at the age of 91. Her life's work has not only had a lasting impact on science, but has also inspired many people. She left her mark especially in Magdeburg. The operator of the “Xampanyeria”, Tino Grosche, fondly remembers the well-attended evening when Goodall was a guest there during a lecture tour at the beginning of 2020. “It was impressive to feel her passion and how much she touched people,” he says.[ MDR ]
Goodall's career began in her 20s in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, where she began extensive chimpanzee observations in 1960. This work significantly revolutionized the understanding of chimpanzee behavior, showing that they can use tools, hunt cooperatively, and experience complex emotions. For her contributions to science, she received her doctorate in ethology from the University of Cambridge in 1965.[ Wikipedia ]
A life for the animals
Over the course of her impressive career, Goodall founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, which works to protect wildlife, reforestation and support communities in Africa. She was a tireless campaigner for the ethical treatment of animals and created the Roots & Shoots youth program in the 1990s, which motivates young people to make positive change.[ Wikipedia ]
The last few years have been entirely dedicated to the welfare of chimpanzees. Shortly before her death, the Jane Goodall Institute criticized the keeping of chimpanzees in Magdeburg Zoo and pointed out the insufficient space and variety for the animals in the indoor enclosure. This criticism was no coincidence, as concerns about living conditions had already existed since an outbreak in 2019.[ MDR ]
A lasting legacy
Goodall has received numerous awards for her work, including the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Kyoto Prize. Her books and documentaries reach people worldwide and advocate for animal welfare and the environment.[ Wikipedia ]
The sadness over the loss of Jane Goodall is felt worldwide. Prominent figures such as Prince Harry and Al Gore have expressed their condolences. Her legacy will also live on through numerous projects and initiatives that she has promoted over the decades. Her tireless commitment to chimpanzees and nature will inspire generations of people - not least here in Magdeburg, where she will always have a place in people's hearts.[ MDR ]