Conservation Icon Jane Goodall's Cause Of Death Revealed

The natural causes Dr. Jane Goodall died from have been unveiled weeks after her passing.

The primatologist, anthropologist, and conservationist took her final breath on October 1 at the age of 91. Her death broke the hearts of many, given her legacy as "the world's preeminent chimpanzee expert."

When Dr. Jane Goodall wasn't changing man's perceptions about animals like chimpanzees, she fought tooth and nail to promote conservation and climate action. She  is survived by a son and three grandchildren.

According to the recently unveiled death certificate, Dr. Goodall died from cardiopulmonary arrest, another name for cardiac arrest. The National Library of Medicine describes cardiopulmonary arrest as “the cessation of adequate heart function and respiration.”

The risk of experiencing cardiopulmonary arrest increases with age, particularly for those with coronary artery disease. In Dr. Goodall's case, her experiencing cardiopulmonary arrest at 91 was considered a natural cause of death.

TMZ also reported that Dr. Goodall's death certificate revealed she had epilepsy. However, it was unclear if this condition played a part in her demise. She died while on a speaking tour in the United States.

Dr. Goodall's death was announced in a social media post from her foundation, The Jane Goodall Institute. The Blast covered the story, reporting that they shared a statement confirming that she died on Wednesday, October 1, due to natural causes.

The primatologist was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States when death came knocking. The post also reflected on her work, with the tribute reading:

"Dr. Goodall's discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world."

Dr. Goodall's achievements stemmed not only from her love for nature and animals but also from her steadfast commitment to achieving her goals. After revealing the similarities between man and chimpanzee in the early 1960s, she faced immense resistance, but she never gave up.

In a 2020 interview, Dr. Goodall recalled the resistance and criticisms she faced following her discovery of the similarities between man and chimpanzee. She noted that she did not back down after clashing with critics and ensured their "reductionist way of thinking" crumbled.

Thanks to her efforts, Dr. Goodall paved the way for a better relationship between man and animals. In a correspondence made available to The Blast, Wayne Pacelle, the president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, honored her memory.

"Jane Goodall taught us first to understand animals. Then, in the last third of her life, she taught us to act with conscience toward all animals," Pacelle claimed. Dr. Goodall's work went beyond researching chimpanzees, as she deeply connected with them.

Dr. Goodall's profound connection to chimpanzees pushed her to ensure their safety by fighting against cruel animal testing. She partnered with Pacelle, then-NIH Director Francis Collins, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe to end the use of chimpanzees in experiments.

The collaboration between the group and Dr. Goodall ensured that chimpanzees were no longer treated as tools, but living beings deserving of respect. She also played a key role in the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, a bill that became law in December 2022.

The law ended an 84-year-old rule that enforced drug testing on animals before new medicines were released. Although she had a deep connection with chimpanzees, Dr. Goodall's efforts extended to all animals as well as the preservation of the planet.

Dr. Goodall welcomed one son, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick, during her first marriage to Baron Hugo van Lawick. TODAY reported that the conservationist was working on her research when she had her first and only child.

While some might have paused their research to embrace motherhood, Dr. Goodall did both. She involved her son in her research, raising him in the Tanzanian forest. Although he grew up to become a boat builder, he and his wife, Maria, live in Tanzania.

Dr. Goodall's love for nature was passed on to her three grandchildren, Merlin, Angel, and Nick. Merlin became a conservationist, working for the Jane Goodall Institute's Earth Species Project.

Angel works with the Goodall's Roots & Shoots program, while Nick is credited as a filmmaker, music video director, and photographer. 

Rest in peace, Dr. Jane Goodall.