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the Jane Goodall Institute

We are a global community conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall.
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JGI is a global community-led conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall to create a better world for people, other animals, and the planet we share. By protecting chimpanzees and inspiring people to conserve the natural world we all share, we improve the lives of people, animals and the environment. Everything is connected—everyone can make a difference.

05/28/2026

"We were lucky to have a soul like [Jane's]. And we were lucky that she decided to invest her life the way she did," says her grandson, Merlin van Lawick. "I’m doing what I can because I feel there’s a part of me that can contribute to the mission."

In an interview with Mongabay.com conducted at ChangeNOW 2026, Merlin shares how Dr. Jane Goodall shaped who he is today and how her legacy will continue through the Jane Goodall Institute, which Merlin has been a part of "for as long as he can remember." Read the full interview: https://news.mongabay.com/2026/05/hope-is-rooted-in-action-interview-with-jane-goodalls-grandson-merlin-van-lawick/

Jane Goodall Institute France

05/26/2026

Introducing "Nadzikambia goodallae," a newly discovered chameleon species named for Dr. Jane Goodall! 🦎

A team of scientists observed this animal in the sky island forests of Mozambique, which are isolated granite mountains that are home to a number of unique species. ⛰️

These sylvan chameleons are difficult to spot because, in addition to their ability to camouflage, they prefer to perch high in the canopy. Kudos to the research team, led by herpetologists Krystal Tolley and Werner Conradie, who successfully cataloged Nadzikabia goodallae! 🔎

This chameleon unfortunately faces pressures from loss of rainforest habitat, and it was named for Jane as an homage to her own work to conserve forests for chimpanzees and other wildlife. It is a fitting honor for a scientist who believed that we must preserve our planet for all who call it home. 💚

PS - Can you guess the difference between the male and female chameleons? Females are all green, and males have orange markings and black around the eye.

05/25/2026

EUGENE CUSSONS

Beloved Conservationist, Visionary Behind Chimp Eden.

The Jane Goodall Institute was deeply saddened by the passing of Eugene Cussons, whose life, though tragically cut short, leaves behind a lasting and meaningful legacy.

Eugene Cussons will be remembered as a man of quiet strength, warmth, and profound compassion. His character was defined not only by his achievements, but by his humility, kindness, and unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the world.

He played a pivotal role in the establishment of Chimp Eden, a sanctuary managed and supported by the Jane Goodall Institute, which stands today as a lasting testament to his vision and dedication.

Driven by a deep love for nature, Eugene was instrumental in giving chimpanzees a second chance at life, providing them with safety, dignity, and the opportunity to live free from fear. His efforts in rescue and rehabilitation, often undertaken in challenging and dangerous conditions, reflected both his courage and his enduring passion for conservation.

Eugene’s path bore similarities to that of Dr Jane Goodall, and it was perhaps inevitable that their shared passion would bring them together. During his years dedicated to Chimp Eden, he worked tirelessly to rescue orphaned chimpanzees and relocate them to safety, where they could be rehabilitated and cared for.

Although he had not been active at Chimp Eden since 2013, his impact remains profound. His legacy endures in the sanctuary he helped build, in the countless lives he touched and saved, and in the inspiration, he continues to spark in all who follow his example.

The Jane Goodall Institute extends its deepest condolences to his wife, Natasha; his daughter, Hayley; his parents, Gene and Marina, and his siblings. We share in their grief and honour his memory, recognizing the profound impact he had on those around him. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

05/23/2026

🐢 At the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga Sanctuary in the Republic of the Congo, conservation extends far beyond caring for rescued chimpanzees. The forests, wetlands, and coastline surrounding the sanctuary are also home to vulnerable turtle species that play an important role in the ecosystem.

Our dedicated teams work to protect these ancient animals by:

🩺 Rescuing and rehabilitating injured turtles
🌿 Monitoring and protecting wild populations
🚫 Patrolling against illegal hunting and trafficking

Every species is interconnected, and protecting biodiversity is essential to the health of our planet. As Dr. Jane Goodall reminds us, each animal has a role to play in the tapestry of life 🌿

*JGI does not endorse handling or close proximity to wildlife. This represents a sanctuary setting with trained professionals.*

📸: Fernando Turmo

05/22/2026

🦜🔈 Sound ON to identify the birds of Gombe National Park!

We continue to gain new insights at Gombe — even after over 65 years of research — and new technologies like bioacoustics play a huge part. Through this work, we place audio recorders throughout the park to record and identify local species through sound. 👂🌿

After analyzing hours of bioacoustics recordings, JGI staff were able to identify six nocturnal and diurnal birds that were never before documented in Gombe! 🔍🪶

This is just one example of how the application of new technology can give us new information, even at a site that we've been studying for decades. ✨ Listen to the recordings, straight from Gombe, and learn the bird names at the bottom of the caption 🔈

Help support continued research into Gombe's remarkable biodiversity by becoming a Gombe Science Hero today! >> https://shop.janegoodall.org/category/adoptions/gombe-science-hero

This project was developed with financial support from Google and in collaboration with Gombe Stream Research Center, The Jane Goodall Institute- Tanzania, Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute-TAWIRI, and Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA). Technology support was provided by Rainforest Connection and WildMon.

Pictured above: Red-headed Lovebird, Fiery-necked Nightjar, Freckled Nightjar, Dusky Turtle-dove, Crested Barbet, Red-faced Crombec.

📸 credits:
Image 1: Isaac Kilusu Mandagee
Image 2: Ron Eggert
Image 3: Amos Pampy Hardecker
Image 4-6: Daudi Peterson

05/21/2026

"I am not alone in saying we have a window of time, a window to start changing the direction. But it depends on changing attitudes." -Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE

Jane was steadfast in championing hope, but she also reminded us that hope is not passive. Hope is something that is cultivated through action. She encouraged everyone to find small ways each and every day to make a positive difference for people, other animals, and our shared environment.

Together, we can continue the movement that she started. Here are small actions you can take in Jane's honor today:

🌳 Turn off your phone and take a screen-free walk outside, taking time to notice and admire your local flora and fauna
🍴 Spend a day avoiding single-use plastic — then see if you can do it for a week
🤝 Challenge yourself to ask a friend or neighbor if you can borrow an item instead of buying something new
🐦 Look up your area's native bird species and learn about what they need to thrive
🫶 Support or champion a cause you care about! Consider getting involved with Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots USA which inspires young people to take action in their communities.

🎥: Concordia University via Jane Goodall Institute Canada / Jane Goodall Institute of Canada

05/20/2026

Meet Abdallah and Rehema — two entrepreneurs who are transforming their community through sustainable beekeeping! 🐝🌼

🌳🌾 Abdallah and Rehema's economic opportunities were growing increasingly limited as the nearby forest, a key community resource, shrank due to unsustainable farming and firewood collection. But with training and resources from The Jane Goodall Institute- Tanzania, they were able to establish their own beekeeping enterprise. Soon, they were selling 661 pounds of pure, uncontaminated honey from native bees in markets across Tanzania each year!

🌱🌷 Abdallah and Rehema are also protecting their local ecosystems. By earning sustainable income from honey, they no longer have to rely on activities like charcoal production or unsustainable farming, which drive deforestation and habitat loss. Plus, native bees play a vital role in pollination, keeping the habitat healthy!

🍯💚 Abdallah and Rehema’s success shows the impact of beekeeping for people and ecosystems. Now, thanks to our partnership with Burlap & Barrel Single Origin Spices, you can buy honey straight from Tanzanian beekeepers and support community-led conservation in action! >> https://www.burlapandbarrel.com/collections/sugar-honey

📸 credit: JGI/Michael Pandisha

05/18/2026

that talapoin monkeys are one of the smallest monkeys, weighing less than 5 pounds? Despite their size, these social beings play a big role in maintaining their ecosystems through seed dispersal and insect control! 🌱🐜

🌿🐒 For many years, JGI's Tchimpounga sanctuary in the Republic of the Congo had one Gabon talapoin in their care, but the team was hesitant to release him back into the wild by himself. Then, last year, the Congolese government confiscated a second Gabon talapoin and immediately transported him to Pointe-Noire for transfer to Tchimpounga.

🌳🍃 While the circumstances of his rescue are unfortunate, they presented both talapoins with an opportunity to live a more natural life. The new talapoin grew to be healthy and strong, and the two monkeys got along. The Tchimpounga team decided it was time.

With much celebration, Tchimpounga staff released the two talapoins into the Poumbou region of Conkouati-Douli National Park. Our hope is that they will join a larger community there, and live their lives climbing, socializing, and eating as much tasty fruit as their little hearts desire! 🍈💚

📸: JGI/Fernando Turmo

05/16/2026

17-year-old Nitiboruhanga Bridget is stitching together a brighter future with help from Jane Goodall Institute Uganda's Girls Empowerment Program! 🤩👏

📚🧹 Despite passing primary school in her hometown in Uganda, Nitiboruhanga was not able to attend secondary school because of the cost of tuition. So she spent six months at home, helping with domestic work and thinking she'd never be able to return to school.

🪡🧶 Then one day, her aunt called to tell her family about JGI Uganda's Girls Empowerment Program! Through this program, JGI staff teach young women important skills and help them gain access to education opportunities. JGI’s tailoring group teaches sewing and knitting in Kafunjo Village. Nitiboruhanga picked up and moved to join them!

👗🌟 Nitiboruhanga has learned to make a variety of clothing that she can sell to pay for school tuition. Excitedly, she shares, "Attending the training and the ability to make different items has re-energized me and restored my hope of realizing my dreams and live a better life in future."

📸: JGI/David Omoding

05/15/2026

Say hello to some of the endangered species who now call our Tchimpounga sanctuary home 👋💚

🐵 JGI's Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center was first founded to provide rescue and rehabilitation to chimpanzees injured and/or orphaned due to the illegal wildlife trade. Today, Tchimpounga is home to over 150 rescued chimpanzees in addition to several other threatened species.

🐦 The Tchimpounga team is equipped to care for nearly any Central or West African species in need. This includes African Grey Parrots, among the most trafficked species in the world. By working with communities and local law enforcement, we have rescued, rehabilitated, and released over 115 African Grey Parrots back into the wild.

🦍 Chimpanzees are not the only great apes at Tchimpounga! JGI coordinated across governments and other conservation organizations to rescue ZZ, a baby gorilla found in and named for Mozambique. After receiving 24-hour, round-the-clock care from a human surrogate parent, ZZ has now regained strength and is thriving.

🫶 Pangolins are widely considered the most trafficked animal in the world, and we are determined to change that. Our Canine Detection Unit has been trained to pick up the scent of pangolin scales, stopping wildlife trafficking in real time. The Tchimpounga team then recovers pangolins from the illegal wildlife trade, cares for them, then releases them back into the wild.

Together, we are upholding Dr. Jane Goodall's belief that every species matters and has a role to play 🌍

📸: Fernando Turmo

The Jane Goodall Institute does not endorse close proximity with wildlife. This represents a sanctuary context with trained professionals.

05/13/2026

Meet the hybrid monkeys of Gombe National Park! 🐒

🐾🔍 JGI's Gombe Stream Research Center in Tanzania is known for the longest-running study of wild chimpanzees in the world, started by Dr. Jane Goodall in 1960. But Gombe's researchers study a variety of other wildlife, like Dr. Kate Detwiler at FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science who studies the hybrid offspring of red-tailed monkeys and blue monkeys.

🧬🔬 One of Dr. Detwiler's most exciting moments came from studying blue monkey DNA: "When I screened them for the mitochondrial marker for blue monkeys, every single blue monkey at Gombe had the red tail marker ... All the blue monkeys that we see today are descendants from hybridization events in the past."

🤔💭 This fascinating research prods at questions scientists and naturalists have been asking for centuries — what defines a species, and how are new species created? With Dr. Detwiler and her team hard at work, we can't wait to see what answers they learn from Gombe's hybrid monkeys.

Support continued research by becoming a Gombe Science Hero >> https://shop.janegoodall.org/category/adoptions/gombe-science-hero

📸: Dr. Kate Detwiler

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1120 20th Street NW
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Website

http://www.janegoodall.org/

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