Ode to Jane
Doris Duncan Howard
Prismacolor Pencil Drawing, on Pastel Paper
17" x 21" framed with mat

Jane Goodall, whose lifelong work as a primatologist helped broaden the world's understanding of animal behavior and emotions, passed away at 91 in October 2025. Her field studies with chimpanzees not only broke barriers for women and changed the way scientists study animals, but documented emotions and personality traits within these primates that blurred the line between humans and the animal kingdom.

Dr. Goodall's discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world. Goodall was named Messenger of Peace by the United Nations in 2002, appointed Dame of the British Empire in 2004, and awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.

Goodall arrived in Tanzania's Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve in 1960 at the request of her boss, renowned anthropologist and paleontologist Dr. Louis Leakey. There, the 26-year-old who had long been fascinated with Africa and its animals - but had no formal higher education - began her groundbreaking work observing and studying these intellectual primates in their natural habitat. In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute, and in 1991 she began Roots & Shoots, an environmental program for young people.

In 2021, Zoo New England presented Jane Goodall with the E.O. Wilson Living the Mission Award. Because it was during the Covid outbreak, Jane received the award via zoom from her home in London. Doris Duncan Howard is proud to have been the artist whose drawing of Little Joe was represented in this award. Last July, a Uganda Gorilla Safari was hosted by ZNE former CEO, John Linehan. Kibale Forest National Park, known for many kinds of primates, specifically chimpanzees, was one of the parks visited. The photo that Doris took and worked from was one of the Kibale male chimps.

Doris Duncan Howard has been a professional artist, specializing in animal portraits, for over 50 years. She has a BFA from Syracuse and an MFA from Boston University. After 38 years as an Art Educator/Department Head, Doris has been volunteering for 18 years at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She also has been volunteering at Zoo New England for 10 years. "My love of animals brought me to Zoo New England, where I have been an Art Auction Director of the Zootopia Art Auction committee, drawing their animals for this annual fundraiser."

Please note: This item is not eligible for shipping. If you are unable to pick up at Zootopia, please contact [email protected] to make alternate arrangements.