Happy birthday to Jane Goodall, the lady of the chimpanzees who revolutionized our relationship with animals

There are people who have put all their existence at the service to make the planet a more livable and more ethical place. One of these is undoubtedly Jane Goodall, British ethologist and anthropologist, considered a real legend. On April 3, the lady of the chimpanzees performs 91 years.

Yet, despite his age, he continues to have the curious gaze of a girl, to fight for the protection of the planet’s environment and does not tire of traveling the world to spread his message of hope and to remember that humans and animals are more connected than we imagine.

The extraordinary life of the lady of the chimpanzees

His passionate research has led to fundamental results in understanding the behavior and social learning of these animals, with which the human being shares about 98.6% of DNA.

In 1977 the ethologist founded the Jane Goodall Institutewhich deals with safeguarding chimpanzees through a series of projects, also highlighting the close link between man and nature. Today the Institute has 25 offices scattered all over the world, including Italy.

But Jane Goodall’s commitment is not limited only to the protection of ecosystems and the existence of primates. The ethologist has become the protagonist of several humanitarian causes and for his dedication he was also appointed Messaggero della Pace of the United Nations, In 2002.

A few years later, in 2011 he also received the title of great officer of the Italian Republic, conferred on him “for his extraordinary work on primates, for his decisive action in favor of respect for biodiversity and peoples, and for efforts to educate and mobilize the largest number of young people”. The Jane Goodall Institute Italy has recently turned to the ministries of the environment, health and Italian agricultural and forestry policies presenting a proposal of decree in order to introduce criteria and minimum requirements for the captivity management of large anthropomorphic monkeys, that lead a sad and cruel existence in the zoo of our country.

Convinced vegetarian, Jane Goodall recently joined over 140 scientists to ask the EU Commission to Abolish the cages of intensive farms.

Jane Goodall, an inspiration for the world

There chimpanzee queen It has become a champion of animals and the environment. During these intense decades of research and activism it has taught us what it means to live in symbiosis with nature, respecting it, and that each of us can do its part (and the difference) in this world. The life lessons he has given us are numerous.

For you we have collected some of its most famous phrases, of which each of us should treasure:

“We are certainly not the only animals that experience the experience of pain and suffering. In other words, there is no clear line between the animal man and the rest of the animal kingdom. It is an indistinct line and it will always be. Fear in a monkey, a dog, a pig, is likely to be experienced in the same way as the human species”.

Compassion and empathy for animals generate compassion and empathy for humans. Cruelity towards animals generates cruelty towards humans “.

“There are many ways in which we can destroy the planet. But when we realize it, when we start understanding, then we must really do something”.

“You cannot avoid spending a single day without having an impact on the world around you. Your actions can make the difference and therefore you have to decide which type of difference you want to represent”.

“The minimum I can do is give a voice to all those who do not have the ability to speak to defend themselves.”