World Wildlife Day: A Day to Honor Jane Goodall’s Legacy
Some people change the world with policies or power... Jane Goodall changed it with patience, persistence, and unwavering care.
Today, World Wildlife Day, we honor the extraordinary life and world-changing legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall, who passed away on October 1, 2025. Few people have so profoundly reshaped the way we understand animals, humanity, and our responsibility to the natural world. Jane wasn’t just a conservationist or inspirational figure; she was a moral leader, advocating for animal rights, wildlife conservation, and ethical treatment of animals.
She entered the forests of Gombe armed with nothing more than a notebook, binoculars, and the courage to observe. The chimpanzees she met were not “subjects”; they were individuals with laughter, anger, tenderness, and grief. In seeing them clearly, she reminded the world that empathy and attention are the first steps toward meaningful action. Her research revealed the emotional lives of chimpanzees, the depth of kinship with nature, and the interconnectedness between humans and animals.
Image courtesy of National Geographic, via Jane Goodall Blog
It is this philosophy of compassion, careful observation, and hands-on action that guides the work of International Veterinary Outreach (IVO). Inspired by Jane’s example, IVO treats animals, raises awareness in communities, and trains veterinary students and local professionals across around the world. Through these efforts, IVO strengthens animal welfare, human health, community resilience, and environmental sustainability, transforming knowledge into meaningful and lasting impact echoing the legacy Jane built through her pioneering work in Gombe.
A Woman Who Paved the Way: Jane Goodall’s Journey and IVO’s Mission
When Jane Goodall began her work in Gombe, she entered a world dominated by male scientists and explorers. Without formal scientific training or a PhD at the start, she defied expectations and carved a path as a pioneering woman in science, demonstrating that courage, empathy, and perseverance could overcome barriers. Her determination to be taken seriously in a man’s world reshaped both the scientific community and society’s perception of women in research. Jane’s journey as a female scientist was not only about breaking gender norms, it showed that compassion, observation, and dedication are equally powerful tools in creating meaningful change.
Image courtesy of National Geographic, via Jane Goodall Blog
Jane recognized that knowledge alone was not enough. To create lasting impact, she had to inspire action, using her research to educate communities, influence global conservation policies, and foster a culture of empathy toward animals and the environment. Her courage, vision, and ability to unite science with humanitarian and environmental activism made her a global icon of what is good and right about humanity.
Imagine a world where hundreds, even thousands, of women walk in Jane Goodall’s footsteps watching, protecting, and giving a voice to the voiceless. That is the world we need to safeguard our animals and our planet. Jane’s journey as a woman who overcame barriers continues to inspire IVO’s commitment to women empowerment, gender equality, and leadership development. Across Tanzania, Nepal, Philippines, East Bay, Warm Springs, and Kenya, IVO trains, mentors, and supports young women to become leaders in veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and community health. Through hands-on training, education, and leadership opportunities, women gain the confidence, skills, and platform to create meaningful change just as Jane did in her pioneering career. Our programs equip women to step into roles that were once inaccessible, nurturing a generation of compassionate, innovative, and courageous female leaders.
Through her Roots & Shoots program, Jane demonstrated how youth leaders can take meaningful action to protect habitats, advocate for wildlife conservation, promote ethical treatment of animals, and embrace sustainable living. IVO mirrors this approach, empowering participants to turn compassion into impact whether it’s treating working animals, raising community awareness, or training local veterinary professionals. IVO empowers women and youth animal advocates worldwide, providing mentorship, skill-building, and opportunities to champion animal welfare, conservation, ethical treatment of animals, and community development, ensuring Jane’s legacy lives on in every action.
A Shared Vision for Compassionate Action
Across the globe, IVO’s Programs strengthen communities while advancing animal welfare. In Tanzania, our teams provided life-saving care to companion animals, while equipping students with hands-on training in spay/neuter, anesthesia, and preventive medicine preparing them to serve communities for years to come. In Nepal, the One-Health-One-Welfare Initiative improved the health of livestock, enhanced local veterinary skills, and mitigated human-wildlife conflict. In the Philippines, working horses received essential care, while senior veterinary students built practical skills to sustain long-term animal welfare. IVO’s work spans the globe across different countries, delivering care, education, and support where it is needed most. Through every intervention, IVO brings the philosophy of raising awareness, developing skills, and turning compassion into action. Every student trained, every animal treated, and every community supported creates a ripple effect of healthier animals, empowered youth, and stronger communities worldwide.
Jane often said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” That simple belief that every individual matters and every action counts, is the foundation on which IVO stands. Her life’s message wasn’t just about studying animals, but about acting with empathy to create a kinder, more balanced world. Her journey from the forests of Gombe to the global stage shows that understanding alone is not enough; real change happens when knowledge becomes action. She turned compassion into movement, proving that science gains power when it serves life.
IVO Amboseli, Kenya project- elephant from communities surrounding Amboseli National Park
Just as Jane gave the world new eyes to see chimpanzees as individuals, IVO helps communities see every animal from working horses to stray dogs as beings worthy of respect and care. Her voice reminds us that empathy must move through our hands, our choices, and our shared commitment to a sustainable, humane world.
"The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves." - Jane Goodall
