Jane Goodall was told to stay away from ‘aggressive’ alpha chimp—her one action stunned her group
Dr. Jane Goodall, an English primatologist and anthropologist, widely known for her work with nature and wild chimpanzees, passed away on October 1, 2025 at the age of 91. Many people got to witness Goodall's compassion for all beings, whom she referred to as "sentient beings" instead of animals, according to former PEOPLE writer Ron Arias. The writer shared one memorable incident he witnessed with Goodall back in 1990. Arias was in a group with Goodall, who had visited a lab that experimented on chimpanzees. They were told to stay away from an "alpha" male chimp. But what the conservationist did instead surprised everyone, per the publication.
The group was at a research lab at Sterling Forest when the incident happened. All of them had put on protective clothing before they entered the enclosure where the chimpanzees were being kept. Goodall had focused all her attention on listening closely to the chimpanzees. "Main rule. We're going to be walking between the cages. Don't approach these animals, especially the males. They're strong and can easily snap a human arm. They can be very aggressive," a technician told the group. The chimpanzees in the lab were injected with viruses or more, to check whether the cure for a certain disease was working or not. Goodall hoped to plead a case for using alternative research methods like computer modeling and tests on tissue culture instead of chimpanzees, per the outlet.
"The suffering of chimps can be reduced by putting them in bigger cages, exposing them to the outdoors and allowing them more contact with each other. Give them toys and video games, anything to relieve the deadly boredom of life in a cage," Goodall remarked. "Watch your step and stay on the walkway," their guide warned. The group walked behind Goodall as they entered the area where the chimps were being kept. "That's JoJo, the big alpha on the left. He's the most dangerous. Careful not to get too close," the technician told the group. The chimp looked both angry and distressed. He was being kept at the lab to test a preventative vaccine for AIDS.
Goodall asked Arias if he had a comb on him and if she could borrow it. Arias gave her the comb and the woman walked towards JoJo's cage while making noises similar to a chimpanzee. She also waved her arms like one. The guide tried to hold her back, but she only stopped when she was six feet away from JoJo. After sensing this curious new person, the chimpanzee grew quiet and looked at Goodall with curiosity. "It's my old friend JoJo. How is JoJo? Do you want to be groomed?" Goodall asked. She held up the comb so the chimpanzee could see it. "No, you don't. You just want to be loved. And here you are shut up in this little cage."
The chimpanzee silently put his arm out of the cage and touched Goodall's cheek gently. Arias believed the primatologist was in tears because of the interaction. "I can't help it. Visiting here is a special kind of hell for me. I know chimps are needed for medical research, but I also feel they were never meant to be enslaved by humans. They should be roaming free in the forests," Goodall told the writer. Sir David Attenborough, 99-year-old naturalist, also remembered Dr. Goodall as a "tireless advocate for chimpanzees" and "a great champion of environmental protection," per BBC.