The British primatologist is considered one of the 20th century's leading scientists for her work with chimpanzees in the Gombe reserve in Tanzania, and the discoveries she made observing them and their social behavior.
Although she now spends most of the year traveling the globe campaigning for conservation, she still occasionally returns to the reserve to see the chimps, some of which she has developed close bonds with.
In 1977, she created the Jane Goodall Institute to manage a network of centers in Africa that care for chimpanzees that have survived poachers.
She also instigated the ChimpanZoo program to improve the lives of captive primates and another program, Roots and Shoots, to educate children about environmental issues.
After the UNESCO ceremony, Goodall was received by French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, who bestowed her with a Legion of Honor.
Find out more about Jane Goodall's Legion of Honor.
Name: Chimpanzee (
Pan troglodytes)
Primary Classification: Hominidae (Great Apes and Humans)
Location: Equatorial Africa
Habitat: Savanna, woodlands, swamps and rainforest.
Diet: Fruits, leaves, seeds, bark, honey, ants, termites and occasionally meat.
Size: Averages 3 to 5 ft in height and 100 to 175 lbs in weight.
Description: Black or brown hair; hairless face that turns dark with age; bulging eyebrows; protrusive lips; very long arms; opposable thumbs and big toes; males have large canines; no ail.
Cool Facts: It is one of the only animals that uses tools, such as a twig that it pokes into termite nests and removes when covered in insects. It is our closest relative, sharing about 98 percent of our genes.
Conservation Status: Endangered
Major Threat(s): Habitat loss and poaching
What Can I Do?: Visit
The Jane Goodall Institute for information on how you can help.
