Dr. Goodall: I'm doing my work 300 days a year on the road! Our peace initiative in Roots & Shoots is relatively new, since 9/11. I'm trying to find time to write some books, but it's very difficult. I'm working on a book about our food, Thinking About Our Food. We are what we eat #&151 where did it come from? How did it get to the supermarket or the table? I'm also planning a book on endangered species rescued from the very brink of extinction. Both books are with co-authors. I've just done a book on hope beyond 9/11 and past the invasion of Iraq. It will be called We Must Be Ready for Peace When It Comes, and I hope it will be out in 9 months to a year. I'm also working with Discovery Channel Animal Planet on a series of exciting documentaries. We shall involve Roots & Shoots projects, working with animals around the world, and also working with Discovery Channel Global Education Fund.
Kinkjou Lover: Hi Dr. Goodall. What is the best thing to do while in high school if I want a career like yours in the future?
Dr. Goodall: Join Roots & Shoots, and keep alert for all opportunities. And work hard!
Audrey Glow: How does one become involved with the JGI Board in the USA?
Dr. Goodall: Our board members are individuals who can either help us to raise funds, or can be influential in helping us to advance our mission. You need to start off as a Friend of JGI. There's a process of interview for prospective board members, which is quite tough.
Allison: How long does it take the chimpanzees to make their nests every night?
Dr. Goodall: It takes between 3 and 5 minutes.
Lisa: Hi Dr. Goodall, in the show last night, you talked about chimps attacking other chimps. Does this happen frequently and do they usually kill each other? Would this also affect their population?
Dr. Goodall: First of all, the aggression is very eye-catching, but peaceful interactions are far more common. Males typically compete for social rank, and very seldom hurt each other seriously, even when it looks vicious. The worst attacks are on members of a neighboring social group, male or female, and are likely to result in death. This can affect the population.
Terry: In regards to the show last night, I was wondering now that Frodo is no longer the leader, do the four chimps that were in his group to go to the edge of their territory and beat up chimps still practice this behavior? Or was this a deal initiated by Frodo only?
Dr. Goodall: No, this is a behavior we have always seen, and it's not necessary for Frodo to be part of the group. Yes, it still continues.
CT Boy: What responsibilities accompany becoming a guardian for an orphaned chimp?
Dr. Goodall: Raising a certain amount of money. Details are on our website. And that's it! Then you receive a package of information and a photo of your chimp. Hopefully you can share it with as many people as possible and encourage them to become guardians too.
Lori: What are some of the most effective Roots & Shoots projects you've seen?
Dr. Goodall: Oh golly! There are hundreds of wonderful projects! Cleaning up a stream and reintroducing fish. Laboriously and continuously removing endangered species from a prairie or other habitat. Visiting senior citizens' complexes, and recording aural history, cheering people up and listening to their stories. Working with the homeless. Working in animal shelters. A fabulous project in China, where a young man learned about the bushmeat trade, and changed attitudes, got on television, and he and his group have now started a no-kill shelter for stray dogs. That's kind of in the middle of China, where people are supposed to eat dogs, so it's very exciting. Some of the peace initiative projects are helping people of different cultures and religions to get together and learn about each other. I could go on a long time!
