“It was a kind of BOOM moment”: A conversation with Dr. Jane Goodall, primatologist turned activist

We interview Dr. Jane Goodall, world renowned naturalist, conservationist, activist, humanist and much, much more.

In the interview, we hear a funny story about her run-ins with Japanese primatologists in Africa, but the bulk of the interview is about her journey with chimpanzees and turning into an activist, with words of wisdom and encouragement for budding conservationists and naturalists.

Tune in and learn about Dr. Goodall's visit to Japan, her historical ties to Japanese primatology, and her projects with the Jane Goodall Institute and Roots & Shoots.

The PrimateCast is hosted and produced by Andrew MacIntosh. Artwork by Chris Martin. Music by Andre Goncalves.

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Chapters

• 0:21 Jane visits Japan
• 1:25 Jane meets Itani @ Gombe, Tanzania
• 2:58 Jane's friendship with chimpanzee Ai
• 5:48 Jane's thoughts on the role of captive apes
• 6:49 Jane's research at Gombe
• 9:25 Jane on the role of young primatologists in conservation
• 15:28 The future of Jane

Transcript

Andrew Macintosh:
Welcome to The PrimateCast! We're your hosts, Andrew Macintosh and Chris Martin.

Chris Martin:
So, normally, we like to start our podcast by giving a brief introduction of our guests and talking a little bit about why they’re here. But in this case, we have a bit of an exception because our guest actually needs no introduction.

Andrew Macintosh:
That’s right. We think most of our listeners are familiar with our guest today, Dr. Jane Goodall.

Chris Martin:
Yeah, and she’s going to start the interview by going right into why she’s here in Japan.

Jane Goodall:
Well, I’ve been coming to Japan—at one time, it was every year, and then it became every other year—because, well, first of all, to visit Toru Matsuzawa, whom I’ve known forever and ever, and to meet Ai, and then Ayumu, and see what was going on and meet the students.

But at the same time, I also go to other parts of Japan and try to develop our youth program, Roots & Shoots, which is now in 132 countries around the world.

Chris Martin:
Wow, ever-growing!

Jane Goodall:
It’s ever-growing. But, um, I always feel that Japan is an important place for conservation. There’s so much tradition here that’s related to nature, and I think it’s important for young people to connect with that.

Chris Martin:
That’s wonderful to hear. Could you tell us more about Roots & Shoots? What inspired you to start it, and what’s the main goal?

Jane Goodall:
Roots & Shoots began in 1991 in Tanzania with 12 high school students. They were concerned about various issues, from caring for stray dogs to saving forests. They inspired me to create a program that empowers young people to take action for what they’re passionate about.

The idea is simple: every group chooses three projects—one to help people, one to help animals, and one to help the environment. It’s about making a difference, no matter how small.

Andrew Macintosh:
That’s such an inspiring approach. Speaking of making a difference, you’ve spent decades working on chimpanzee conservation. What’s the biggest challenge you face today in that field?

Jane Goodall:
The biggest challenge is habitat destruction. Every day, more forests are cleared for agriculture, logging, or infrastructure development. It’s not just chimpanzees that suffer—entire ecosystems are being lost.

And then there’s the illegal wildlife trade. Baby chimpanzees are taken from their families, which often means the mothers and others in the group are killed. It’s heartbreaking.

Chris Martin:
That sounds devastating. What can people do to help?

Jane Goodall:
Education is key. People need to understand how their actions—what they buy, how they live—can have an impact. Support organizations working to protect wildlife, and get involved in local conservation efforts. Every small step adds up.

Andrew Macintosh:
That’s such an important message. Now, Jane, you’ve had such an incredible career. Can you share a moment that stands out to you as particularly meaningful?

Jane Goodall:
Oh, there are so many. But one that always comes to mind is the first time I saw a chimpanzee using tools. It was back in 1960 when I observed David Greybeard, a chimp at Gombe, carefully stripping leaves off a twig to fish for termites.

At the time, it was thought that humans were the only species to use tools, so this observation challenged the scientific consensus. It was a groundbreaking moment, not just for me, but for primatology and anthropology as well.

Chris Martin:
That’s such a powerful story. It must have been amazing to witness firsthand. So, what’s next for you? What keeps you motivated after all these years?

Jane Goodall:
I’m motivated by hope. I’ve seen so much resilience in nature—forests coming back, animals being saved. And I’m inspired by young people and their passion for making the world a better place.

As long as I can, I’ll keep traveling, spreading awareness, and supporting projects like Roots & Shoots. There’s still so much to be done, and I believe we can make a difference.

Andrew Macintosh:
Thank you so much, Jane, for sharing your time and insights with us. It’s been such an honor.

Chris Martin:
Absolutely. Your work continues to inspire so many people around the world, including us.

Jane Goodall:
Thank you both. It’s been a pleasure to be on The PrimateCast. Keep up the great work!