Legendary primatologist and conservationist Dr Jane Goodall’s sage advice to me when we met earlier this year will guide my work and passion for the wild all my life
Dr Jane Goodall (April 3, 1934 - October 1, 2025) and Ranjeet Jadhav (right) at Sanjay Gandhi National Park on November 19, 2024. PIC/NIMESH DAVE
As the world mourns the passing of Dr Jane Goodall, the renowned British primatologist, anthropologist and conservationist, at the age of 91, I can’t help but reflect on my good fortune to have met and interacted with her, even if for a few minutes, last year at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).
As a journalist covering the wildlife beat, when I first got to know that Dr Goodall would be visiting the city, I was excited, to say the least, as I had read her books and watched films inspired by her research on chimpanzees in Africa, so I did not want to miss the opportunity to meet the living legend.
I was even happier about the fact that she was going to visit SGNP, a forest in the heart of our metropolis, which also has one of the highest densities of leopards anywhere in the world.
On the day of her visit to SGNP, a few other journalists and I were waiting outside the auditorium. What moved me most was seeing even children and youngsters, along with adults, and even forest department staff, all eagerly gathered just to catch a glimpse of Dr Goodall.
The arrival of Dr Goodall, who was dressed in her trademark green shirt and trousers, sparked a rare joy in everyone present at the auditorium, as each person was acutely aware that they were in the presence of greatness, of someone known across the globe for her outstanding work on wildlife conservation. Though a nonagenarian, Dr Goodall was full of energy and enthusiasm. Walking without any support, she made sure that she greeted everyone present.
During her small speech, Dr Goodall emphasised the crucial role of young people in protecting the environment.
She also praised human-leopard coexistence in the city, stating, “Mumbai is a prime example that shows the world how humans and wildlife can live in harmony. We must recognise that wildlife and humans are inseparable, and the only way forward is to coexist peacefully.”
“Young people have the power to create positive change. The youth are the future, and they must come together to lead efforts in environmental and wildlife conservation,” urged Dr Goodall, calling on both the youth and the community to take collective action.
She also stressed that as human beings, we must care for all living things, while taking urgent steps to address climate change.
What struck me deeply was that, despite her age, Dr Goodall welcomed questions from members of the press and everyone else with patience and grace. After her address, when I introduced myself as a journalist covering wildlife and the environment, she looked at me and said, “Be the voice for the voiceless, and follow your passion.” Those words will remain with me forever, continuing to guide and inspire my work as a journalist telling the stories of wildlife and the wild.
Speaking about Mumbai’s rich biodiversity, Dr Goodall said, “Protecting our green spaces is crucial in the face of climate change. We must unite and adopt measures to help mitigate this pressing issue.”
What sets Dr Goodall apart from other wildlife conservationists is that when she began her research on chimpanzees, she studied them in the wild, not in captivity, and even gave each primate she met special names, like the famous David Greybeard (the chimpanzee she was studying), helping the world realise that animals have unique personalities, emotions, and social behaviours.
During her visit to Mumbai, she highlighted another key insight: in wildlife conservation, the communities that share space with wild animals play a crucial role, and coexistence is essential if we truly want to protect nature.
I will forever be thankful to my friend and wildlife photographer, Nayan Khanolkar and Shweta Khare Naik of the Jane Goodall Institute — India, for giving me the opportunity to meet Dr Goodall, a memory that I will cherish for a lifetime.
Dr Goodall’s life reminds us that even one person’s passion can change how we view the world, and hers will resonate for centuries to come.
The writer is a journalist with mid-day and reports on wildlife and environmental issues
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