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Jane Goodall Returns to Taiwan With Message of Hope and Conservation
Renowned primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall delivered an inspiring speech in Taipei on her first public visit to Taiwan in seven years, urging her audience not to lose hope amid a world fraught with crises.
“We are living in pretty dark times right now,” said Goodall, now 91, during a talk titled “Inspiring Hope Through Action.” Reflecting on her own childhood during World War II, she added, “Although it sounds strange, I think one of the reasons that I can be hopeful even now is because I grew up in World War II.”
Addressing ongoing global conflicts, including the wars in Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine, Goodall reminded the audience that, “Some of these terrible wars—although they seem never-ending—will end, and good will prevail over evil.”
The British zoologist’s words resonated with those present, many of whom expressed admiration for her decades-long dedication to animal welfare and environmental activism.
“I think what’s most moving is her perseverance,” said one attendee. “She’s already 91 years old. But from her youth until now, she has never given up.”
Families with children were among those in attendance, using the event as a learning opportunity. “Well, we don't get that many opportunities to see Dr. Goodall,” one parent said. “This was a really unique chance to let the kids be exposed to all the work that she's done in her decades of research. And personally, we are a family that loves animals and conservation. And so this was a wonderful, wonderful opportunity.”
One of the young attendees noted, “It was pretty interesting about the learning about the chimpanzees and how she like how she discovered so many similarities between humans and chimpanzees.”
While in Taiwan, Goodall also visited a coral conservation center in Keelung, where she praised efforts by the company Delta Electronics to restore coral reefs. The initiative has preserved more than 40 species of coral native to Taiwan and aims to restore 10,000 coral fragments by this summer.
“If you give nature a chance, she will come back,” Goodall said. “So restoring the coral is really a fantastic idea. The ocean is so important. It’s very worrying that it’s warming as the globe heats. And what that’s going to mean in the future? I don’t think we know. But I heard that one species can live in water that’s warmer than others. And so that’s a hopeful sign.”
Goodall also commended Taiwan’s broader environmental efforts, citing several examples featured in her writing. “I think Taiwan’s doing very well,” she said, pointing to the successful restoration of inland salmon, a rehabilitated polluted river and conservation work for the jacana bird.
This trip marks Goodall’s 18th visit to Taiwan over the past 29 years. In 1998, she helped establish the Jane Goodall Institute in Taipei, which continues to support wildlife education and research.
Though her stay was brief, Goodall’s presence reaffirmed her deep connection to Taiwan and her commitment to global conservation.
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