Prince William has led tributes to the primatologist Jane Goodall, who died in California on Wednesday at the age of 91, with a statement that highlighted a contrast in tone with other world leaders. The Prince of Wales said the world had lost 'an extraordinary voice', adding that her 'boundless curiosity, compassion and pioneering spirit transformed our understanding of the natural world'.
Former US president Barack Obama also paid tribute, describing Goodall as having 'a remarkable ability to inspire us to connect with the natural wonders of our world'. He noted that her work 'opened doors for generations of women in science'. The Tanzanian president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, called Goodall 'a friend of Tanzania' and praised her decades of research at Gombe National Park.
Naturalist Chris Packham said Goodall was 'extremely determined' and 'broke down barriers', adding that she 'died on her job, trying to communicate the urgent need to confront climate breakdown and biodiversity loss'. Professor Ben Garrod, who worked closely with her, described her as 'transformative' and noted she worked '300 days a year'.
Goodall died from natural causes while on a speaking tour in Los Angeles, according to her institute. She was 91.
