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Renowned conservationist and zoologist Jane Goodall has died at 91. 

The chimpanzee expert was in California on a speaking tour when she died of natural causes on Wednesday, October 1. 

“Jane was passionate about empowering young people to become involved in conservation and humanitarian projects and she led many educational initiatives focused on both wild and captive chimpanzees,” the Jane Goodall Institute – the organization she founded in 1977 – said in a statement. “She was always guided by her fascination with the mysteries of evolution, and her staunch belief in the fundamental need to respect all forms of life on Earth.”

Goodall began researching chimps in the 1960s after working with paleontologist Dr. Louis Leakey. Her groundbreaking work included the discovery that chimps use tools. She became famous thanks to her many documentary and television appearances. More recently, she dedicated herself to environmental advocacy and protecting the natural world. On Wednesday, she had been scheduled to meet with students in Pasadena to launch a tree-planting initiative in wildfire burn areas, according to the Associated Press. 

Where to watch Jane Goodall documentaries and TV shows

Goodall made frequent media appearance throughout her long career on programs such as The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Last Week Tonight With John Oliver. She was also featured in multiple documentaries. Goodall was also the inspiration for a live-action children’s TV series. 

Jane: This 2017 National Geographic documentary from Brett Morgen uses never-before-seen footage to share the story of how Goodall’s research challenged scientific consensus and shifted our understanding of the natural world. It’s streaming on Hulu and Disney+. 

Jane Goodall: The Hope: Another National Geographic film, this two-hour special from 2020 follows Goodall as she travels the world spreading a message of hope. It’s streaming on Disney+. 

Jane’s Journey: Goodall opens up about her remarkable life, from her childhood in England to her years in Tanzania, in this 2010 documentary, which includes footage from her own private collection. Jane’s Journey is streaming on Kanopy. 

Rescued Chimps of the Congo with Jane Goodall: In this five-episode series, Goodall creates a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees. Streaming on Tubi

Racing Extinction: Goodall is one of several notable figures interviewed in this 2015 Emmy-nominated documentary about the anthropocene extinction. Racing Extinction is streaming on Kanopy, Hoopla, The Roku Channel, and other platforms. 

Goodall was also the inspiration for the kids’ TV series Jane. The show follows a budding environmentalist named Jane who is committed to saving endangered animals. Three seasons are streaming on Apple TV+. 

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