Classic Desert Island Discs - Dr Jane Goodall

This archival episode of Desert Island Discs features the late Dr. Jane Goodall, the pioneering primatologist who spent decades studying chimpanzees at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. Reflecting on her journey from a young girl in Bournemouth fascinated by animals to a groundbreaking scientist, Goodall recounts her arrival in Africa, her gradual acceptance by the chimps, and her revolutionary discovery that chimpanzees use tools—shattering the long-held belief that tool use defined humanity. She shares intimate memories of her early life, her mother’s support during her fieldwork, and her deep emotional connection to the forest, which she describes as her 'Garden of Eden.' After a transformative experience listening to Bach in Notre Dame Cathedral, Goodall felt a 'call to action' that led her to leave her research paradise and become a global advocate for conservation, animal welfare, and environmental education. She discusses the devastating decline of chimpanzee populations due to habitat destruction and the bushmeat trade, and shares her hope in grassroots movements like Roots & Shoots, which empower young people to create change. Her reflections on music, memory, and resilience reveal a life shaped by wonder, compassion, and unwavering purpose.