Dr. Jane Goodall, Conservation Icon Who Shaped Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Dies at 91.
Dr. Jane Goodall, the pioneering primatologist whose groundbreaking work with chimpanzees revolutionized science and inspired global conservation efforts, died today at the age of 91.
“The Jane Goodall Institute has learned this morning, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, that Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, has passed away due to natural causes,” the institute said on social media. “She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States.”
A tireless advocate for wildlife and nature, Dr. Goodall held a significant and lasting relationship with The Walt Disney Company and its commitment to conservation.
Her influence is profoundly felt at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. In the 1990s, Dr. Goodall was a trusted voice who reviewed and provided guidance on the park’s concept before its construction. In honor of her role and global contributions, she was recognized with a plaque on the park’s iconic Tree of Life, alongside a carving of David Greybeard, the first chimpanzee she observed using tools in the wild.
The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) has long supported her work, including her Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots program, which empowers youth as environmental stewards. Dr. Goodall also served as an ambassador for the Disneynature film Chimpanzee and helped launch the company’s “Disney Planet Possible” commitment to creating a healthier planet.
