From flags lowered at the Toronto Zoo to heartfelt tributes from Canadian leaders and youth advocates, the passing of Jane Goodall has struck a deep chord across the country.
On Oct. 1, the world lost one of its strongest voices for nature. Jane Goodall, aged 91, passed away of natural causes while on a speaking tour in California.
Canadians are remembering her not only as a world-renowned primatologist, but as an advocate whose voice helped shape conservation laws, inspire youth all over the world, and ignite national conversations about the rights of animals.
REACTIONS ACROSS CANADA
In a statement, the Jane Goodall Institute said Dr. Jane Goodall, its founder and a UN Messenger of Peace, was a model of courage who dedicated her life to protecting wildlife, advancing conservation, and inspiring humans to have a better relationship with the natural world.
“Jane was passionate about empowering young people to become involved in conservation and humanitarian projects. She was always guided by her fascination with the mysteries of evolution, and her staunch belief in the fundamental need to respect all forms of life on Earth.”
The Toronto Zoo issued a thoughtful tribute on social media, calling Goodall “a pioneering scientist and one of the world’s most influential conservation leaders.”
To honour her, the zoo lowered its flags and is inviting guests to sign books of condolences at its orangutan and gorilla habitats, as well as in the Wildlife Health and Science Centre. These will be presented to the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada.
Prime Minister Mark Carney praised her as a tireless guardian of nature whose work transformed both biology and humanity’s relationship with animals.
“Her advocacy inspired generations and her research revolutionized the field of biology. Her legacy lives on through every life she fought to protect. May she rest in peace, and may we take up her torch.”
While former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described her as a pioneer who reshaped how people view the natural world, noting that her compassion and wisdom would live on through every act of conservation.
“Heartbroken to hear of Dr. Jane Goodall’s passing. She was a pioneer whose research and advocacy reshaped our understanding of the natural world. All of us who were so greatly inspired by her will miss her deeply.”
Youth advocates at the Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS) highlighted how she inspired young people, pointing to one of her most famous calls to action.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make,” Goodall said.
The loss also sparked a wave of reactions across social media, where users described how Goodall’s voice gave them hope and shaped their outlook on humanity.
“A sad loss of an incredible person. We are all richer for her having been part of humanity,” a user on Reddit commented.
“Man, she worked for good until everything was poured out of her. I hope she inspired thousands of new Janes. We need them now more than ever. RIP,” another user said.
“People like her give me hope about humanity,” a user said.
“What a loss to lose such a beloved public figure and crucial animal advocate. She can die knowing she touched the hearts and minds of millions for the betterment of humanity,” another user commented.
At the University of Toronto, Professor Kerry Bowman, who teaches environmental science and bioethics, reflected on his unique connection to Goodall.
Bowman, who has served on the board of directors of the Jane Goodall Institute and now sits on its global ethics committee, said he knew her both personally and professionally for 25 years.
For Bowman, the news of her death came as a shock. He noted that even at 91, she seemed unstoppable, and her sudden passing left him shaken and unprepared.
“She’s just such an incredible person. You kind of get the feeling they’re going to go on forever … So, no, it was a huge shock to me, there’s really no follow up. There’s really no one of Jane’s stature that’s going to be able to fill her role. Just don’t see it. There’s just nobody. And so the Jane Goodall Institute programs will flourish, and they’re well established, but her as a cultural icon and a real influencer and change maker, I don’t see who that’s going to be. I really don’t,” Bowman told Now Toronto on Thursday.
Bowman explained that Goodall broke scientific convention in the 1960s, when researchers were expected to remain detached and assign numbers to animals instead of names. By naming chimpanzees and writing about their personalities, she faced criticism at first but ultimately reshaped how people understood animal life.
“So Jane did proper science, but she also named the animals … This was considered by many, very unprofessional … But she never lost track of the science also … she slowly, really changed the way we view animals … she began to realize through observation, they have an inner life, they have relationships, they have emotions, they have a level of understanding that we just had no idea about … she really, in a lot of ways, changed the way many people think about animals,” he said.
CANADIAN IMPACT
Goodall’s influence was especially strong in Canada, Bowman said, pointing to her frequent visits, her youth program Roots & Shoots, and her impact on Canadian policy through the Jane Goodall Act.
“Well, they’re huge. They’re really, really big. Because, you know, let’s remember just how many times Jane has been in Canada … She had a huge influence on the school system. She had a project called Roots and Shoots … And then, you know, the Jane Goodall act … that would not have happened without her, and it’s got a long way to go … she really has changed the way we think about that.”
Asked what lessons Canadians should carry forward, Bowman said Goodall’s greatest teaching was that all life matters and that everything is interconnected. He noted that she had a rare ability to connect with people of all ages, especially children.
“The fact that all life matters … all life is interconnected … She could relate to all ages. And she deeply believed that, you know, inspiring and encouraging children was the way forward, and she did a great job of that.”
He also reflected on their personal friendship.
“We corresponded a lot. We’d have a drink together. She had a wonderful sense of humour and was a very kind person.”
For Bowman, Goodall’s death marks the loss of a cultural icon at a time when the world desperately needs unifying, hopeful voices.
“Her impact will not go away. But … the world’s not in good shape at the moment … we really need leaders l like Jane … in terms of a real cultural icon, real leadership, I just don’t see it. She’s gone, you know? And that’s the loss.”
