The SANParks Honorary Rangers and some of the Kruger National Park Management were fortunate to hear world renowned primatologist, anthropologist and conservationist, Dr Jane Goodall during her recent trip to South Africa. Her visit to Skukuza was arranged by the Lowveld Region of the SANParks Honorary Rangers.
Dr Goodall has dedicated more than 60 years of her life to wildlife conservation. “We are not the only beings with mind, personality and culture,” said Dr Goodall as she rose up to the podium in an auditorium so still one could hear a pin drop.
“Don’t study conservation, get to know the people who need to learn how to coexist with conservation”, these were her words as she began to unpack her life story of how she first fell in love with the wild as a young girl when she read the Tarzan story.
Conservationist Jane Goodall gave up living with her chimps in the forest in the Gombe National Park in Tanzania to raise awareness of animal conservation, biodiversity loss and climate change.
At almost 90 years old, Dr Jane Goodall, the world-renowned ethologist and conservationist, spends 300 days of her year travelling around the world, speaking to people about the urgency of animal conservation, biodiversity loss and climate change.
But despite being a Dame of the British Empire and UN Messenger of Peace, her fondest memories stem from her time in the Gombe National Park in Tanzania, learning about humans’ closest living relative, the chimpanzee.
“I had to give up what I love best to try to save it. It’s just one of those things,” said Goodall, chuckling. “Those were the best days of my life – being out in the forest, learning about the interconnection of all the species of plants and animals in the forest ecosystem.”
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Portrait photo of Dr Goodall: JGI / Bill Wallauer)
