The Famous Chimps of Gombe

Over the course of her life, Dr. Jane Goodall has observed and recorded the habits of many of the wild chimpanzees living in Gombe National Park. When Jane first arrived in 1960, little was known about the complexities of primate behavior. Though Jane made many remarkable discoveries during her first few years in the field, one of her most ground-breaking realizations was that chimpanzees experience emotions previously believed to be uniquely human. Through years of patient observation and thorough research, Dr. Goodall grew familiar with many of the individual chimpanzees inhabiting Gombe, learning about their distinct personalities and characteristics. She also studied the family dynamics and social hierarchies that dictate chimpanzees’ daily life. This work has greatly assisted the scientific community as well as environmental activists and wildlife conservationists. To celebrate the 55th anniversary of Jane’s first trip to Gombe, it is our honor to re-introduce to you some of Dr. Goodall’s most famous primate companions.