I was greatly saddened yesterday to hear the news that Dr. Jane Goodall had crossed over. She was an inspiration and a role model for countless people around the world in the field of wildlife conservation and many others. She worked tirelessly to educate us about the challenges faced by Chimps (and many other species) and how we could help address those challenges in creative ways. She is one of the primary reasons I studied and worked in the field of conservation biology.
This letter from Dr. Goodall is from July 15, 1994 in response to a letter I had sent her about my animal behavior senior thesis on zoos of the former Soviet Union. She had visited some of the zoos so I was seeking recommendations on zoos to visit and individuals to contact. I had met her on several occasions at this point and she knew my Mother well too because the zoo in Albuquerque had Chimps, Orangutans, and Gorillas and Dr. Goodall would often give lectures on Chimp conservation at zoos. She shared a lot of information in the letter and then after my trip inquired about how it went and my thoughts. I did connect with her every now and then since that time as well. I read her books (and got a few signed) and attended lectures whenever I could. She was a true inspiration and role model for me and why I am still so involved with understanding and addressing how human activity impacts human health and the environment.
I happened to be on the Seattle campus today so took this photo right outside of the Psychology building where this letter arrived so many years ago. Being a big Star Wars fan, I imagine her being like Obi-Wan now for all of us conservation biologists, looking out for us and rooting us on in current and new challenges.
