You just have to look at the sun and say, Oh, I see!
Shell gladly talk about her work with anyone who asks, and shes also happy to pose for pictures.
(Rather than say cheese, she grins and says, Chimpanzees!)
Credit: Hugo van Lawick/National Geographic Creative/
Its this period in Goodalls life that is the center of Morgens gorgeous new documentary.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Your life has been chronicled through books and film before.
Its just very real, and it hasnt been censored.
I mean, they were so special, and they were so much a part of my life.
But back then, there werent any rules.
There was no knowledge.
There was nobody doing it.
George Schaller [studied] the gorillas, and that was about it.
Did you have any anxiety about that?No!
I never wanted to be a scientist.
I was only going for Leakey.
Leakey wanted me to learn about the chimps.
He didnt think much of the modern people studying behavior, mostly in zoos.
What was your mindset like on your first trip to Gombe?Excitement!
It was an amazing journey in an overloaded Land Rover.
Getting there, and then having to go on the boat.
And of course, Mum was with me.
It was just very, very exciting.
And a little daunting.
I remember thinking, How am I going to find the chimps?
I spent four hours in the hen house when I was 4 years old.
So the problem for me was: Will I succeed before the money runs out?
There was only money for six months.
That was the problem.
All that sort of thing.
But I knew that wasnt enough.
She was so good at boosting my morale.
It was really sad: She left just before I saw David Greybeard using tools.
And she would have been so excited.
She was, but from a distance.
So there was no one to share it with.
You know, my cook Dominic, he was interested, but he didnt understand the significance.
So that was one thing I missed most when she left.
There was nobody to share my excitement with who understood.
She seems like such an extraordinary woman.She was!
I dont think she ever said it in that way, but that was the message.
If I wanted to do that, then that was fine.
The whole family actually was very female-oriented.
It was a house of women.
And they were all successful.
My aunt was one of the first physiotherapists.
Youve talked about how as a young woman setting out in this field, people commented on your gender.
Did that affect how you approached your work in any way?No.
I mean, Ive always been me.
Thats another thing: Mum supported us being who we were.
As long as it doesnt go too far.
Thats the tough part.
But you cant help how you look, and I guess I was a bit flirtatious.
But that was just having fun.
You see how I am just having fun.
One thing Trumps done is hes woken people up.
Thats one really good thing hes done.
Animals on the brink of extinction can be given another chance.
Its getting harder and harder with population growth.
Then youve got extreme poverty.
Theres a lot to tackle, but we have this intellect.
We are coming up with new ways all the time, ways to live in better harmony with nature.
Weve got to alleviate poverty.
Weve got to reduce our standard of living, which is way over the top.
And weve got to talk about family planning and size of families.
All these issues are interconnected.Theyre all connected.
Thats why when people say, Which one is the most important?
I say, I cant pick just one.
Because one without another two or three isnt making sense.
Were on a planet with finite natural resources, and were already using them faster than nature can replenish.
So we just have to have a new mindset.
Even some old people!
