Jane Goodall, a legendary biologist and primatologist, died on Wednesday at the age of 91. “A very special person,” calls animal caretaker Klaas-Jan Leinenga from Safaripark de Beekse Bergen Haar. She came to them twice. “She was positive, had humor and was vulnerable. A pioneer for animal welfare.”
The British Jane Goodall is one of the founders of the research into the behavior of chimpanzees. “She was the first to see that animals have emotions. They greet each other,” explains Klaas-Jan. “They use tools, have intelligence: just like us. She went across the current.”
That started very early, when Jane lay down in a chicken coop as a girl. She wanted to know how eggs were laid. Her research into chimpanzees is now the longest-running chimpanzee research ever. “It was a woman who opposed old-fashioned structures. She has done that all her life,” Klaas-Jan continues.
“She and David Attenborough: in our world they are celebrities.”
As a woman, it was certainly not common to do such an investigation. She was tapped on her fingers, but continued. “Also without training,” explains the animal caretaker. That means that, in the world of animal carers and nature lovers, with a huge amount of awe is talked about. “She and David Attenborough: In the world of animal carers they are celebrities.”
Hilvarenbeek has passed twice. Of course to see how the chimpanzees and the other animals are doing there, but also to talk to the caregivers and to give a lecture. Safaripark de Beekse Bergen is part of the Jane Goodall Institute, which is committed to the well -being of chimpanzees, people, nature and the caretaker. “She was a connector,” says Klaas-Jan about it. He was there, in 2016. “Then someone really comes in: how she is, talks and listens. A very special person.”
Sometimes you meet people with an indescribable charisma. Someone who, for whatever reason, comes to you. Whose words touch. “The way she speaks alone,” Klaas-Jan describes the meeting with Goodall. “Very softly, so you will listen to her even better.”
And everyone who heard her told her that day. Goodall gave a lecture in Hilvarenbeek, which was immediately sold out. “Then you notice how big she is,” says Klaas-Jan. She told with an enormous persuasiveness about the chimpanzees, nature and the environment. Sometimes very serious and serious, but with space in between to let us hear how well she could imitate a chimpanzee. “It was a very special evening, on which I had to arrange everything a bit. Afterwards I received a personal letter in return, with a word of thanks.”
“She died in armor.”
When Klaas-Jan heard the news of her death yesterday, he was quiet for a moment. “Oh, what will this mean?” He thought. “It was coming once, at that age. But when it happens, I think: Pot Dangikkie.” In the hope that her ideas will be passed on. That Goodall continues to inspire, even though she is no longer there. “It is sad and unreal, because she was even at work. But she died in armor. And you can only have a lot of respect for that.”