Lady and the Chimps

Mylene Oishi checks in with Dr. Jane Goodall and her work with our closest living relative in the animal king-dom, the chimpanzees.

Dr Jane Goodall has come a long way since she was the curious little four year old that spent several hours hidden in a stuffy hen house, to find out how a hen lays an egg.

Perhaps it was this driving curiosity or a natural interest in animals from a very early age that sprouted the dedication and indu-striousness that would eventually propel her onto the world stage,
to bring the plight of chimpanzees in the wild to our consciousness.
Born in London, Jane Goodall grew up in Bournemouth on the southern coast of England, where at the age of ten, she first began to dream of going to Africa.

Her dream would come true, but not until 1957 when at the age of 23 years, having saved enough money, she travelled to Africa for the first time. There she met the famed anthropologist Dr. Louis Leakey who suggested she undertake a pioneering study of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania, East Africa. Inspired by that meeting, in 1960 she began her now historic chimpanzee study in what is now the Gombe National Park in Tanzania. Today, it is the longest unbro-ken field study of any group of animals in the wild.

In 1965, after earning a Ph.D in ethology at Cambridge University, Dr Goodall returned to Tanzania and established the Gombe Stream Research Center. Chimpanzees are in danger of extinction. Their numbers have dwindled to fewer than 200,000, The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is committed to addressing the complex issues that threaten chimpanzees in the wild and in captivity.

As the chimp is our closest living relative in the animal kingdom, our understanding of chimpanzee behavior is important because it teaches us a great deal about our relationship with all other animals on this earth.

Due to logging and deforestation the natural habitat of the chimpanzee is disappearing at an alarming rate. The bushmeat trade that involves the commercial hunting of chimpanzees for human consumption is a further tragedy. Often, after watching the killing of their mothers, infant chimpanzees are sold as pets. Many die of shock, malnutrition or infection before they even reach their intended destinations. Those who survive are often abused or neglected.

Chimps in chains, chimps imprisoned, chimps in laboratories. Millions of animals (not only chimpanzees) tortured in the name of medical progress. Once you see this, you never forget, which is the reason why even to this day, Dr Goodall still has problems sleeping.

In cooperation with African governments, JGI is ensuring that illegally held infant chimpanzees are confiscated from poachers or market vendors and placed in one of their three sanctuaries across the continent: Ngamba Island in Uganda, Sweetwaters sanctuary in Kenya and Tchimpounga sanctuary in the Congo.

These places play a crucial role in more ways than one. Orphan chimpanzees are nurtured back to health by experienced and loving caregivers and are taught how to live in social groups, an essential requirement for their survival, development and well-being. These sanctuaries also boosts the local economy by providing employment opportunities and form part of the JGI conservation education program.

It would be natural to feel despair and hopelessness at the fast rate in which we are destroying our natural environment and our blatant disregard for animal life. Yet, there is hope. In fact, Dr Jane Goodall gives three reasons for hope. Firstly, we have began to understand and face up to the problems that threaten us and our survival of life on Earth as we know it.

Secondly, there is trememdous energy, enthusiasm and commit-ment by a growing number of young people around the world, to right the wrongs of their forefathers and not to repeat the same mistakes. Finally, hope lies in the indomitable nature of the human spirit, where unattainable dreams have been achieved against all odds.

"Every individual matters, human and non-human alike. Every individual hasa role to play. Every individual makes a difference."How to teach young people that they can make a difference in the world. How to foster respect in the young for the world around them. How to bring awareness of the plight of the chimpanzees and the problems we inflict on our planet?

In answer to those questions, Dr Goodall founded the Roots & Shoots program in Tanzania in 1991. A global, environmental and humanitarian education program for youth. Designed to engage and inspire youth on the principle that knowledge leads to compassion which inspires action.

Today Roots & Shoots membership has grown to include 4,000 schools, family and community groups throughout the world, focussing on three areas: Care and concern for the environment; Care and concern for animals and care and concern for the human community. Ruud Lubers, the UN High Commissioner was moved to say, "Roots & Shoots is about giving substance and meaning to the lives of young people."

In Singapore students have created a project linking people with the environ-ment. They have designed a nature trail for the blind, that have signs in Braille as well as various sensory experiences. In Bunnell, Florida, USA, the 'Roots & Shoots Eagles' hold regular pet food drives for the local animal shelter.

Through their compassionate action, these students have gained a new self-esteem and are showing others in their community to respect and value life. In Puerto Hondo, Ecuador, new trees are being planted in deforested areas of Cerro Blanco National Park. Young Pahio trees now grow in areas once barren and eroded. These are only some examples of the innovative action taken by young people around the world that send out a powerful message of hope.

Research has shown that Roots & Shoots has a long-term impact on young people, teaching them that they can make a difference in the world, increasing their confidence and instilling new interest in protecting the environment and animals.

"Roots creep underground everywhere and make a firm foundation. Shoots seem very weak, but to reach the light they can break open brick walls. Imagine that the brick walls are all the problems we have inflicted on our planet. Hundreds and thousands of roots and shoots, hundreds and thousands of young people around the world, can break through these walls".
- Dr Jane Goodall, UN Messenger of peace

Dr Jane Goodall comes to Nara to convey her "Message for the future", on Monday 17th November, 2003 at Nara Centennial Hall. (1minute from JR Nara station west exit). This event forms part of Nara NPO Plaza's long going, "International Understanding Program" for children, led by Junko Nakagawa.

For many years, this project brought people of different countries direct into the classroom to educate children about different cultures, lifestyle and way of thinking. Over the years, this program has introduced children to various people who are making a positive difference in the world, and whose message emphasizes that of Nara NPO Plaza's international education program.

Tickets: ¥2,000 direct from Nara Centennial Hall. (Tel: 0742-34-0100) or from the organizers, Nara NPO Plaza. (Tel: 0742-21-8211). There will be simultaneous interpre-tation for Japanese speakers, sign language for the hard of hearing. Those wishing to make use of the creche should contact Nara NPO Plaza direct.

Email: nara-npoplaza@md.neweb.ne.jp
URLs: www.janegoodall.org | www.jgi-japan.org

Text: Mylene Oishi • Photos: Courtesy — Janegoodall.net