Tributes have poured onto Chinese social media following the death on Wednesday of renowned British conservationist Jane Goodall, aged 91, who visited China 17 times and whose story featured in school textbooks.

Goodall’s last visit to China was in 2024, when she gave an interview to state broadcaster CCTV which it posted to its social media account on Thursday. “I love forests. I love animals. I care about the future,” she told the programme, first broadcast in December.

Goodall, best known for her detailed observations of chimpanzee behaviour in Tanzania, dedicated her life to wildlife conservation and environmental protection.

Her research revealed that chimpanzees are capable of rational thought and experience emotions such as joy and sorrow – traits once considered unique to humans. She also confirmed that they use tools.

Many commenters on the CCTV post recalled learning about Goodall in their English and biology classes. “I read her story in my secondary school English textbook, and it is still fresh in my memory. She was a great woman, rest in peace!” one comment read.

“A great woman who treated chimpanzees as friends and loved and protected animals. Beautiful images of her interacting with animals will always stay,” another commenter wrote.