1. Jane Goodall an Honorary Patron of Nature for IUCN
We had an extra reason to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5th this year, as our beloved founder, Dr Jane Goodall, became an Honorary Patron of Nature for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)! The IUCN has been a critical force in conversion since 1948. Its evidence-based work is fundamental to our work at JGIA, as well as that of governments, NGOs and many others. Dr Goodall has proudly been a member of the IUCN and the Primate Specialist Group for many years and is very honoured to accept this accolade. Thank you IUCN! Please view Dr Goodall’s acceptance on the IUCN website.
2. Global Meeting Update – Creating Strong Connections and Local Impact
In May, our CEO, Nancy Moloney, Chair, Paul Smith and Australian representative on our Global Board, Polly Cevallos, travelled to Barcelona for the global gathering of the Jane Goodall Institute. Over four days we got to know our cousins from Spain, UK, Uganda, Tanzania, USA, Canada, China and Taiwan, as well as our neighbours, New Zealand.
We came together to share ideas, develop plans for the future and look deeply at how we, as a community, can coordinate our activity globally in order to be more effective. JGI is present in most parts of the world and because of this has the potential to have a wide-ranging impact across multiple cultures. This is at the root of what we all believe. We may live in different countries and speak different languages but we all have a connection to animals and the same shared planet, and shared future.
The impact of this gathering will be far reaching and we have no doubt that you, as our local Australian supporters, will see this in the months and years to come.
3. Captive Chimps Listed as Endangered
On June 12th the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that captive chimpanzees would move from threatened to endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Director Dan Ashe says “Extending captive chimpanzees the protections afforded their endangered cousins in the wild will ensure humane treatment and restrict commercial activities under the ESA. The decision responds to growing threats to the species and aligns the chimpanzee’s status with existing legal requirements.”
Dr Jane Goodall says “all of us at JGI wish to congratulate the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the decision to include captive chimpanzee in the endangered listing along with wild chimpanzees. This will be enormously beneficial to individuals in inappropriate captive conditions. As such, it is a tremendously significant decision which will be welcomed by everyone concerned with the well-being of our closest living relatives. Thank you for helping to make their world a better place.”
The full press release can be found on the JGI US website.
4. People Changes at JGIA
JGIA is very pleased to announce that we have a new team member. Jessie Neal joins us as our National Roots & Shoots Team Coordinator with extensive animal and events management experience. Jessie grew up on a cattle farm in SA and developed a love for wildlife as her family established and operated Warrawong Sanctuary. She has a degree in Animal Science from the University of Adelaide and has hands-on experience working as a zookeeper at Porfell Wildlife Park in Cornwall.
Jessie has travelled the world volunteering at many museums, zoos and conservation parks in Europe and Asia. She also worked with JGIA during Dr Goodall’s last tour and was instrumental in organising our SA Roots & Shoots youth summit. We are very excited to have her back on board – welcome Jessie!
5. Our Primate Family Book Launches
It is with great pleasure that we announce the launch of “Our Primate Family” by JGIA’s great friend Lou Grossfeldt. Lou is Primate Supervisor at Taronga Zoo and one of Australia’s leading experts on chimpanzees. In the book, Lou and co-author writer David Blissett share her remarkable stories from wild populations around the world to one of the world’s most iconic zoos. Dr Goodall wrote the foreword to the book and says ‘It is my hope that many people will read and enjoy these stories. And that this will encourage them to join the growing band of those of us who care and help us to make a positive difference for primates, and all living things.’
The book shares practical advice each of us can follow to help make a tangible difference to the survival of these amazing animals and all of Lou’s royalties are being generously donated to JGIA so please support our entire primate family by buying a book here. Soon to be available at the JGIA shop!
6. National Geographic Kids launches in Australia and New Zealand
We are very excited to share with you that National Geographic Kids has launched in Australia and New Zealand! Please join Jane in congratulating them:
“Congratulations on the launch of National Geographic Kids in Australia and New Zealand! It’s a great magazine and there will be so many young people in Australia and New Zealand who will be excited to read it. It certainly would have been one of my favourite reads if it had been around when I was a child! Good luck and best wishes.”
Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, Founder – the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace
The second issue will be out soon, and will feature JGIA, so pick up your copy at a newsstand or subscribe here.
