"Reason for Hope"

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Joan B. Kroc Distinguished Lecture Series<

7 p.m.

University of San Diego
Jenny Craig Pavilion

Jane Goodall, world-renowned primatologist, wildlife conservationist and U.N. Messenger of Peace spoke on how we can save threatened species, the planet and ultimately ourselves.

Jane Goodall began her landmark study of chimpanzees in Tanzania in June 1960, under the mentorship of anthropologist and paleontologist Dr. Louis Leakey. Her work at Gombe Stream would become the foundation of primatological research and redefine the relationship between humans and animals.

One of Goodall’s most significant discoveries came in her first year at Gombe, when she saw chimps stripping leaves off stems to make tools for fishing termites out of nearby mounds. This and subsequent observations would force scientists to rethink the definition that separated man from other animals: "man the toolmaker." Goodall also observed chimps hunting and eating bushpigs and other animals, disproving the widely held belief that chimpanzees were primarily vegetarians.

Goodall established the Gombe Stream Research Center in 1965. Under the stewardship of Tanzanian field staff and other researchers, it continues Goodall's work today, making it one of the longest uninterrupted wildlife studies in existence.

In 1977, Goodall established the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), which continues the Gombe research and is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. The institute is widely recognized for establishing innovative, community-centered conservation and development programs in Africa and the Roots & Shoots education program which has more than 8,000 groups in nearly 100 countries.

Video of the lecture

UCSD-TV will premier video footage of the program starting May 12, 2008, at 8:00 PM Pacific Time and continuing through May 23, 2008. Visit the UCSD-TV website for exact air dates and times.