Weekender: Dr. Jane Goodall on Her Lifelong Work and New Film

For over 50 years, Dr. Jane Goodall has studied the social and family interactions of chimpanzees, and worked tirelessly to conserve animals and their habitats.

In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute to support her conservation and research efforts. And in the years before and since, she’s served as an educator and activist.

These days, one of her most high profile roles is serving as a Disneynature ambassador. In this role, she works with Disney to speak up about the importance of protected areas, America’s national parks, and preserving the habitats and natural resources that all of us need to thrive. 

Disneynature is an independent film label of The Walt Disney Studios that works to produce wildlife films and educational materials. Today in this special extended interview, Dr. Goodall joins The Takeaway to talk about Disneynature’s newest documentary, “Monkey Kingdom.”

“Monkey Kingdom” centers on Maya, a low-ranking macaque in a rigidly hierarchical troop and her efforts to make a better life for her and her newborn son, Kip. The film is narrated by Tina Fey. 

Check out some photos from Dr. Goodall’s time at our studios, and from her life in research.

Dr. Jane Goodall with Takeaway Host John Hockenberry.

(Kristen Meinzer)

Dr. Jane Goodall in the studios of WNYC Radio with Takeaway Host John Hockenberry.

(Jay Cowit)

Takeaway Host John Hockenberry in awe as he interviews Dr. Jane Goodall.

(Kristen Meinzer)

Scientist Jane Goodall studies the behavior of a chimpanzee during her research February 15, 1987 in Tanzania.

(Penelope Breese/Liaison/Getty)

Germany: Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost authority on chimpanzees, communicates with chimpanzee Nana, 06 June 2004 at the zoo of Magdeburg (eastern Germany).

(JENS SCHLUETER/AFP/Getty)

 

British ethologist Jane Goodall sits outdoors and studies an African baboon, 1974.

(Fotos International/Getty)

Germany: Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost authority on chimpanzees, communicates with chimpanzee Nana, 06 June 2004 at the zoo of Magdeburg (eastern Germany).

(JENS SCHLUETER/AFP/Getty)

Dr. Jane Goodall takes the hand of a Spider Monkey during her visit to the Rehabilitation Center and Primate Rescue, in Peñaflor, 36 km southwest from Santiago, on November 23, 2013.

(HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty)

Jane Goodall, English primatologist, ethologist, and anthropologist, c. 1976

(Apic/Getty)

26th January 1974: Full-length portrait of British zoologist Jane Goodall watching her photographer husband, Baron Hugo Von Lawick, adjust a camera, to which a baboon is clinging. East central Africa

(Hulton Archive/Getty)