My Life with the Chimpanzees

Goodall addresses the declining chimpanzee population in Africa and the urgent need for conservation efforts. Chimpanzees, once found in 25 countries, have now disappeared from four and are nearly extinct in five others. The remaining populations are concentrated in the central African rainforests of Cameroon, Gabon, Zaire, and the Congo, which are rapidly disappearing due to deforestation driven by the greed of wealthy individuals and corporations.

Chimpanzees face numerous threats, including being hunted for food and captured for the pet trade, zoos, circuses, and medical research. With an estimated population of no more than 250,000, their numbers are in danger of becoming unsustainable even with protections. Over the past decade, Goodall has visited various African countries that are facing dire situations for both animals and local people. Deforestation leads to soil erosion, the loss of fertile land, and the transformation of forests into barren deserts, impacting rivers, lakes, and fish populations and causing starvation for animals and humans alike. While local farmers understand the importance of preserving forests, political corruption often leads to large-scale deforestation for timber exports, with profits seldom benefiting the local population.

Goodall recounts her environmental advocacy efforts, including meetings with an American ambassador and a minister of the environment, which helped enforce laws against hunting and selling chimps. This led to the rescue of an infant chimpanzee, who was nursed back to health by Graziella Cotman, a colleague of Goodall’s. Cotman now cares for 48 orphaned chimps at Tchimpuonga Sanctuary in the Congo Republic, which was built with support from the petroleum company, Conoco. It provides a haven for chimps that cannot be released back into the wild.

Goodall shares individual stories of some chimps at the sanctuary, such as Ricky, who was raised by a dog after being abandoned by her human caretakers. She also discusses broader challenges faced by chimps, including illegal capture, inhumane transport conditions, and use in medical research. Despite some progress such as improved lab conditions following her intervention, Goodall emphasizes that much more needs to be done to ensure the survival and well-being of chimpanzees. Her message is a call to action to protect these remarkable creatures and their habitats.

Jane Goodall addresses the prevalent belief that humanity has caused irreversible damage to nature and that violence and greed are inherent and unchangeable human traits. Contrary to this pessimistic view, Goodall expresses optimism about the human potential for positive change. Through her study of chimpanzees, Goodall realized that humans are not so different from other animals. However, what sets humans apart from chimps is their superior intelligence and use of spoken language, which allows for storytelling, planning, and idea-sharing.

Goodall’s hope lies in the younger generation’s awareness and proactive efforts to solve environmental problems. This led her to establish the Roots & Shoots program in 1991 with a small group of Tanzanian students. By 1993, it had expanded to the United States and Europe. Roots & Shoots aims to build a firm foundation (roots) and encourage young people (shoots) to overcome challenges (brick walls). Brick walls, though sturdy, can be penetrated by small shoots. Thus, Goodall underscores the significance of individual actions, particularly the small ones, believing that if millions of people act collectively, they can make a substantial difference. Roots & Shoots clubs are active in more than 15 countries, promoting the idea that every individual, human or non-human, has value. Goodall’s life is now dedicated to traveling, raising awareness, and expanding Roots & Shoots.

Goodall shares the story of Blinky Rodriguez, an ex-champion kickboxer whose son was killed in a gang drive-by shooting. Despite his initial desire for revenge, Blinky forgave the young boys responsible and persuaded 75 Latino gang leaders to sign a peace treaty, drastically reducing murders in Los Angeles. She also introduces Gary Hahn, a former US Marine who lost his eyesight but performs magic card tricks, skydives, cross-country skis, and plays golf, demonstrating his resilience. These stories emphasize Goodall’s belief in the extraordinary potential of ordinary people.

Despite her busy schedule, Goodall longs to spend more time at Gombe. Reflecting on her years in the forest, she now shares her experiences widely. She discusses Wildlife Awareness Week in Gombe, showcasing chimpanzee life to locals with displays of chimp tools and discussions on chimpanzee cultures. A highlight for Goodall is the European Union-funded TACARE project, which aims to reforest the hills along Lake Tanganyika. Goodall’s brief visits to Gombe allow her to reconnect with familiar chimpanzee families. On her last visit, she spent a week in Matilda Valley, encountering Cusano, a male chimp named after Marc Cusano. Four months before her visit, chimpanzee twins were born, the second occurrence in her 35 years of research. Named Roots (Rootsie) and Shoots (Shootsie), their birth was a joyful event amid ongoing regional challenges, including hunters in Burundi targeting chimpanzees and refugee children suffering from the violence in Rwanda.

In a final anecdote, Goodall shares the story of Rick Swope, a truck driver who saved a chimpanzee named JoJo at a zoo. Orphaned and sent to North America, JoJo fell into the water and risked drowning. Rick jumped in and saved him, highlighting the profound connection between humans and animals. Goodall uses this story to emphasize the importance of individual actions in making the world a better place. She urges everyone to respond to the plea for help seen in the eyes of suffering animals and humans, believing in the power of compassion to drive positive change.