Dr. Jane Goodall's Legacy: Animals are Sentient Beings and Matter
- femkevaniperen
- Oct 6
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 8
Since the passing of renowned animal behaviourist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall on October 1, 2025, there has been one recurring theme in the news coverage surrounding her death: her legacy for how we view animals today—animals as sentient beings who matter.
Dr. Jane Goodall had a unique perspective: how she conducted her research, how she saw the animals she worked with, and how she reflected all of that back to us. It was groundbreaking, it was new, and it helped change our view of animals: animals as sentient beings. In other words, all animals matter. This message is clearly reflected in the news reports of Dr. Jane Goodall's passing around the world.
"Jane Goodall braved a realm of unknowns to give the world a remarkable window into humankind’s closest living relatives," it is shared in a similar light in a story about her life on the Jane Goodall Institute website.
So, thanks to Dr. Goodall's diligent work, we began to perceive animals differently. And as reports around the world highlight, she gained an insight never seen before into their ways of being.
As a scientist, Goodall was known for using unorthodox, immersive approaches to chimpanzee research. She challenged scientific norms and revealed that chimpanzees have complex social lives, personalities, emotions, and the ability to make and use tools—traits once considered exclusively human.
"Jane Goodall braved a realm of unknowns to give the world a remarkable window into humankind’s closest living relatives"
Them and Us
As humans, we often view animals as separate from us, sometimes through fear, or due to our lack of understanding. But by naming animals and spending time with them instead of merely observing them, Dr. Goodall dismantled the traditional them-and-us perspective regarding animals and a new realisation grew: all animals matter. Plus, in doing so, reshaped human self-perception.
According to ABC Australia, in an article suggesting 'Jane Goodall changed how we thought about chimps. Why did we know so little before?,' Goodall suggested that this human perspective on animals was linked to "something to do with arrogance … [and] a kind of fear."
"Because once you break down this barrier that used to be perceived between humans on the one hand and all the animals on the other … and you start to think about other animals having personalities, minds and feelings, then it becomes harder to treat them the way we so often do," she told ABC Conversations in 2008.
Dr. Goodall's discoveries challenged the strict separation between humans and animals, suggesting a closer relationship. By naming chimpanzees like "David Greybeard," she emphasised their individuality, contrasting with the scientific practice of using numbers, as National Geographic reported.
"Jane Goodall changed how we thought about chimps. Why did we know so little before?"
Unusual Methods
One aspect of Jane Goodall's work and perspective is often mentioned. Her patient presence and keen eye revealed surprising truths about chimpanzee behaviour, contrasted with traditional scientific methods.
By integrating with the animals and using names for them instead of numbers, she fostered a deep, empathetic connection, offering a new perspective in scientific approaches and our view of animals: as sentient beings.
Jane's groundbreaking and most renowned observation of tool use in non-human animals is recognised as the moment that "redefined humankind," explains the Jane Goodall Institute USA website.
Dr. Goodall's pioneering scientific discoveries and methods are also recognised for supporting the removal of barriers for women in science and other fields.
Animals As Sentient Beings: Future Legacy
Goodall was also known for her positive and unwavering beliefs about the future of the planet. She told media outlets, as reported in this Dutch newsreport, that she believed humanity has everything within itself to solve the climate crisis and restore the planet.
Jane Goodall's legacy not only sparked a global conservation movement but also impacted science. Moreover, she transformed the human-animal relationship by promoting greater appreciation and respect for animals.
A spokesperson for the Jane Goodall Institute USA said: "Dr. Goodall inspired countless individuals around the globe, and through her research and advocacy for animals, people, and the environment, she left a lasting impact the world will never forget. Jane deeply cared about young people, as they cared for her."
Given the diverse news reports worldwide with the same message, Jane Goodall's perspectives seem to be all set to be a lasting gift to the world.
Dr. Jane Goodall's Legacy
Dr. Jane Goodall was born on April 3, 1934, in London England. At the young age of 26, she followed her passion for African wildlife to Gombe, Tanzania, where she began her landmark study of chimpanzees in the wild, immersing herself in their habitat as a 'neighbour' rather than a distant observer. Her discovery in 1960 that chimpanzees make and use tools rocked the scientific world and redefined the relationship between humans and animals.
In 1977, she established the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) to advance her work around the world and for generations to come. JGI continues the field research at Gombe and builds on Dr. Jane’s innovative approach to conservation, which recognises the central role that people play in the well-being of animals and the environment.
In 1991, she created Roots & Shoots, a global programme that guides young people in 75 countries in becoming compassionate citizens and leaders in their daily lives. Prior to her recent passing, Dr. Goodall travelled the world nearly 300 days a year, speaking about the threats facing wildlife, environmental crises and her reasons for hope.
In her books and speeches, she emphasised the interconnectedness of all living things and the collective power of individual action. Dr. Goodall was a UN Messenger of Peace and a Dame Commander of the British Empire. Most recently, she received the United States' Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025, for her contributions to science and tireless advocacy for our planet.
Dr. Jane Goodall died peacefully in her sleep aged 91 in Los Angeles, CA for her speaking tour in the United States.
Source: Jane Goodall Institute (JGI)
