6 of 106 of 10 Items
59:21
Feature
A Lifetime of Learning
Natalie Stewart
Jane Goodall—a noteworthy researcher and ecologist—is known for her work with chimpanzees. Goodall has researched and studied chimpanzees for over forty years, and is credited with some of the most groundbreaking discoveries in science during that time.
Growing up in England
On April 3, 1934, Jane Goodall was born in London, England. Her father, Mortimer Herbert Goodall, was a businessman and her mother, Margaret Myfanwe Joseph, was an author. As a young girl, Goodall read books about animals and drew detailed sketches of birds. At the age of one, she got a toy chimpanzee from her father, which might have played a role in inspiring her future work with chimps. Goodall received encouragement from her mother, who told young Jane that she could reach her dreams with hard work.
Working in Africa
The first time Goodall went to Africa, a friend from school invited her for a visit. In Africa, she met an anthropologist named Dr. Louis Leakey. Leakey was digging for fossils at Olduvai Gorge and looking for information about early humans. He believed that studying chimpanzees would be useful in understanding more about humans. Dr. Leakey was anxious to learn more, so he hired Goodall to help him with his research in Africa.
Goodall and her mother established a camp in Gombe National Park, along Lake Tanganyika in July 1960. At first, Goodall found it difficult to observe the chimps because they were frightened by humans and would not allow her to get close to them. With time, however, they grew used to seeing her and allowed her to get closer.
As time passed, the wild animals became comfortable with Goodall. Eventually, a chimp ventured to her table, took her bananas, and scampered back to the bushes. Other chimps learned to do the same, which made the chimps link Goodall with food and reduced their fear of her.
To learn as much as possible, Goodall carefully observed the chimps. She interacted with them. When chimps climbed trees, so did Goodall. She also ate with them. Goodall’s observations taught scientists many new things about chimpanzees. Chimps have their own language that includes different sounds, and they sometimes communicate through touch. One of the most stunning and important observations Goodall made was that chimpanzees use tools in the same way humans do. Goodall saw chimps take the leaves off sticks and use the sticks to get food. This astonished the scientific community because, before this discovery, people believed that no animals used tools. Another important observation Goodall made was that chimps eat more than just fruits and plants. They also eat insects, rodents, and other animals.
Education and Career
Goodall spent most of her time at the camp by Gombe Park. However, she did leave Africa to go to college and finish her education. Goodall later became a professor. She received a PhD from Cambridge University in 1965. From 1970–1975, she served as a psychiatry professor at Stanford University. Since 1973, Goodall has been a zoology professor at University of Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania.
Throughout her career, Goodall published many important articles and books about her work with chimpanzees. Many magazines and journals printed Jane’s work. In addition, books such as The Chimpanzee Family Book and In the Shadow of Man made her research available to the public. Throughout her career, Goodall has received many awards and honors for her excellent research and work. She was even named a Dame of the British Empire in 2003.
Goodall is perhaps the best researcher of the twenty-first century, and her findings will influence scientists for generations to come. The information collected by Goodall is invaluable to understanding chimpanzees and nature.
The author wrote this passage MAINLY to
Responses
A express her opinions about Jane Goodall's work.express her opinions about Jane Goodall's work.
B inform readers about the life and work of Jane Goodall.inform readers about the life and work of Jane Goodall.
C entertain readers with stories of Goodall's work with chimpanzees.entertain readers with stories of Goodall's work with chimpanzees.
D encourage readers to consider studying and working with chimpanzees.