'She worked till her last day to protect the planet': Singaporeans mourn Jane Goodall's death
Angelica Ang for The Straits Times
In December 2024, local primatologist Andie Ang sat with Dr Jane Goodall as she penned thank-you notes to friends of the Jane Goodall Institute of Singapore (JGIS).
The acclaimed conservationist was visiting the Republic as part of her speaking tour around the globe.
When Dr Ang sent her off at the airport, Dr Goodall pulled her into a hug, and said: "I didn't have time left to write a note to you, but I know how to reach you - wait for my e-mail."
"Your e-mail will not come any more, but I think I got your message," Dr Ang, JGIS' president, wrote in an Instagram tribute, after news of Dr Goodall's death was announced on Oct 2.
The world-renowned zoologist and conservationist died at the age of 91 on that day. She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States.
Dr Goodall is best known for her work on chimpanzees, having studied their social and family interactions in the wild for over 60 years. She established the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, an environmental non-profit organisation with offices in 35 countries around the world, including Singapore.
The institute's Singapore outpost had also posted online about Dr Goodall's death on Oct 2, along with prominent figures in the local environment community, such as Education Minister Desmond Lee, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat, former MP Louis Ng and content creator Woo Qiyun.
In a Facebook post, Mr Lee added that Dr Goodall's legacy is part of Singapore's journey to becoming a City in Nature, an initiative to create a green, liveable and sustainable home for Singaporeans.
He said the JGIS worked with NParks and the local nature community to launch working groups for the protection of two of the Republic's primate species - the Raffles' banded langur and long-tailed macaque.
Dr Goodall had attended the macaque group's first meeting in 2017, and inspired the No Feeding campaign, which reminds Singaporeans that simple collective action goes a long way in resolving human-wildlife conflicts.
Mr Lee added that the Roots and Shoots programme founded by Dr Goodall in 1991 has empowered youth from over 140 countries around the world - Singapore included - to foster respect and compassion for nature.
Mr Lee was Singapore's National Development Minister from 2020 to 2025, during which he championed efforts to make Singapore's environment more green and sustainable.
In a separate Facebook post, current National Development Minister Chee said Dr Goodall "inspired many Singaporeans to better understand and care for our native biodiversity".
He added that Dr Goodall's passion for conservation extended beyond primates, pointing out that she joined people from the ministry and NParks for the launch of the 100k Corals Initiative, which champions biodiversity conservation across ecosystems.
In a post by wildlife rescue organisation Acres, Mr Ng - its founder - said Dr Goodall's work guided his own work in Parliament, where he championed many social issues and spoke up for the voiceless, and that her legacy will continue to inspire him and many generations to come.
"From the time I was a child, her courage and compassion inspired me to believe that one person can change the world," he said.
"Each time I met her, she inspired me even more to do better and fight harder."
Ms Esther An, City Developments Limited's chief sustainability officer and a local expert in corporate sustainability, said she was awed by Dr Goodall's unconditional love for nature, animals and young people, in their several interactions since 2019. These included a December 2024 talk with renowned marine biologist Sylvia Earle.
Ms An said: "Her voice may be gentle, but the power of her wisdom and hope for the future has influenced tens of thousands across borders, cultures and ages.
"She worked till her last day to protect the planet. Her passing is a huge loss to humanity and all living things on earth."
Ms Woo, a climate artist and activist, said on Instagram that one of her first jobs was with JGIS and that she was "inspired by (Dr Goodall's) love that trickles to many after her".
"A true inspiration, and to have witness(ed) her magic in my lifetime is an honour."
