World-famous primatologist Jane Goodall will deliver a lecture in Cambridge on Tuesday.

Dr. Goodall's talk will cover the work of the Jane Goodall Institute, as well as current research at Gombe Stream National Park, in Tanzania. Research has been conducted at the park over the past 45 years into the chimpanzee, our closest living relative. She will discuss the programmes developed to conserve the forest habitat and improve the lives of those living near the park.

Dr. Goodall will also consider the contributions that individuals can make to improve the state of the world.

Jane Goodall began her study of chimpanzees in Tanzania in 1960. She observed chimps stripping twigs to make them more suitable for catching termites, as well as hunting and eating other animals. This challenged previous notions that humans were the only species to make tools and that chimpanzees had a basically vegetarian diet.

In 1965, she was awarded a PhD in Ethology from Cambridge University. She subsequently returned to Tanzania to continue her research and established the Gombe Stream Research Centre.

Further work yielded other surprises, such as the discovery that chimpanzees can engage in a primitive form of “warfare.”

Dr. Goodall has received numerous awards, including the Medal of Tanzania, Japan's Kyoto Prize, and membership of the French Legion of Honour. In 2002 she became a “Messenger of Peace” for the United Nations, and in 2003, she was made a Dame of the British Empire.

She has published widely, and her book The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behaviour is recognized as the definitive work in the field.

She travels an average of 300 days each year speaking about the threats facing chimpanzees, environmental concerns, and her hope that humankind will solve the problems facing our planet.

The visit has been organised by the University's chapter of Roots & Shoots, a branch of the Jane Goodall Institute. Dr. Goodall founded the Institute in 1977 to further field research on wild chimpanzees.

Roots & Shoots is aimed at young people and works in the areas of animal welfare, cross-cultural understanding, and environmental issues. The organisation has over 8000 groups in almost 100 countries.

Dr. Goodall said “I am proud to return to Cambridge University, where I studied forty-two years ago. Cambridge Roots & Shoots is a terrific example of the initiative being taken by the youth and young adults of our world, and I hope we can spread their compassion and dedication across the United Kingdom.”

The Cambridge University branch also promotes community activities and green practices within Cambridge.

The lecture, titled “Reasons for Hope”, is free and open to all. It will take place on Tuesday December 4 at 4:00 pm in Lady Mitchell Hall, at the Sidgwick Site, Sidgwick Avenue.

It will be followed by a charity reception at 6:15pm in Sidgwick Hall, Newnham College. The event will include a book signing, organic vegetarian food, juice and wine. Tickets for the reception cost £5, or £8.50 with two glasses of wine.

All funds will go to the Tchimpounga Sanctuary in the Republic of Congo, which is run by the Jane Goodall Institute.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. If you use this content on your site please link back to this page.