Jane Goodall is one of the world's most important environmental
activists and a noted humanitarian, primatologist and UN
messenger of peace.
Her
fascination with animal behaviour began in early childhood, she spent her spare
time watching birds and animals and making notes and sketches - something I
also did on our roof terrace when I was 10. She dreamed of travelling to Africa
and at the age of 26, Jane ventured to Tanzania from London with nothing more
than a notebook and binoculars. Thus she set off to study the world of wild
chimpanzees with the patience and optimism that would characterize her.
Many of her studies
of chimpanzee behaviour have been successful despite the fact that she had no
formal scientific education and lacked even any degree – she saw chimpanzees
making a tool of tree bark to dig out termites. This was an important discovery because at the time, it was
assumed only humans made tools.
She has been concerned about environmental damage
and, for this reason, campaigned for many causes. These problems are so serious
that she has travelled all over the world encouraging people to do what they
can to create a better world.
She is a
fascinating woman, the type of person I have always admired: brave,
good-tempered and involved in all types of worthy causes.
No comments:
Post a Comment