Question

Why were Jane Goodall’s discoveries important and how did it affect scientific thought? What impact did this have on both science and the general population?

Answer 1

Jane Goodall is a British primatologist who devoted her entire life studying the physiology and behaviour of chimpanzees in their natural environment.

Major contributions:

1. Chimpanzees can utilize tools.

Prior to this, only human species is considered to have been using tools.

2. Chimpanzees have strong social and emotional relationships. They can have a complex relationship with their group members such as sharing food, shelter and specific grooming rituals. Chimpanzees also exhibit family relationships. Mother chimpanzees exhibit strong relationships with their kids.

This discovery was also surprising as most of the scientists thought that familial bonding is specific to human species.

3. Chimpanzees work in groups and hunt together. They also wage wars against rivals.

This behaviour is strikingly similar to humans.

Jane Goodall's discoveries have changed the whole scenario for scientists as well as for normal people. Her findings have helped scientists to understand the evolution of social behaviour in humans. Her findings helped to redefine the words 'tool' and 'man'.

Jane Goodall is also a conservation biologist. She dedicated her entire life to the conservation of their natural habitat and spoke against illegal poaching and trafficking.