Celebrated researcher Jane Goodall to visit NZ

Dame Jane Goodall. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Dame Jane Goodall, the celebrated ethologist considered the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees, will give a series of public talks in New Zealand next month.

Dame Jane, who celebrated her 80th birthday in April, is renowned for her near 50-year study of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania.

Her work with the Gombe chimpanzees during the 1960s brought ground-breaking knowledge of the species and the close evolutionary and behavioural bonds shared between chimpanzees and humans.

Particularly, her observations of watching chimpanzees use sticks to collect termites for food dispelled the belief that only humans create tools.

Today, the conservationist also acts as the UN Messenger for Peace and has a legacy in the Jane Goodall Institute, which she founded in 1977.

She spends more than 300 days of the year travelling to many countries spreading the message of the threats faced by chimpanzees as well as other environmental crises, urging her audiences to understand the importance of personal responsibility and how each individual can help make a difference every day.

The proceeds of her New Zealand tour, featuring three talks in Wellington, Auckland and Dunedin, will go towards projects run by the Jane Goodall Institute, and help provide support to the tens of thousands of people in more than 130 countries involved with her Roots and Shoots initiative.

"As one of the most legendary conservationists of our time, Jane will share her thoughts on the future of conservation, guidance on navigating the current threats the world faces, and above all, heartfelt reasons to maintain hope despite growing and often overwhelming odds," said Professor Phil Bishop, assistant director University of Otago's Centre for Science Communication, which is hosting the tour along with the Allan Wilson Centre, Wellington Zoo and Auckland Zoo.

The evening would also provide an opportunity to hear about her lifetime of work with the Gombe chimpanzees, including highlights from some of her unique experiences in the field.

She will also discuss the future of chimpanzees in the wild and the relocation of most of the orphan chimpanzees in the Tchimpounga Sanctuary on to islands in the Koilou River in the Congo Republic.

"It is a great pleasure and honour to host Jane Goodall's visit to the University of Otago, which is internationally acclaimed for its work in conservation," Professor Bishop said.

"Hearing Jane talk about her experiences with the chimpanzees and her optimistic vision for the future of mankind is a breath of fresh air in today's climate of doom and gloom."

Tour Dates:

Dunedin: 7pm, Friday, June 20, Regent Theatre (tickets through TicketDirect)

Wellington: 2pm, Sunday, June 22, Michael Fowler Centre (tickets through Ticketek)

Auckland: 7pm, Monday, June 23, ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre (Tickets through Ticketmaster)