How can tourism benefit local ecosystems and resident wildlife?
Jane Goodall: Well, it’s got two sides to it.
The main answer is, how is the place tourism managed?
Credit:Amiee White Beazley
That’s the absolute key.
Well, the governments there think, Okay, we get all this money for six.
Now we’ll map it to twelve.
Dr. Jane Goodall speaking at Gonzaga University.Rajah Bose/Gonzaga University
These areas are getting too many tourists and its affecting the animals.
That’s killing the goose that lays the golden egg.
Is there a solution?
Can one be a responsible traveler?
I don’t have the solution, and sometimes tourism exploits the animals terribly.
But tourism, well-managed, is very important for various reasons.
And the benefits the country gets means the national parks get more money, too.
The local people begin to see a value to the animals.
Rajah Bose/Gonzaga University
Youre right.
There’s no question about it.
When you look into a chimpanzees eyes, a gorillas eyes, or an elephants, it changes you.
It can be that simple.
Not eating meat or not eating meat one day a week to start with.
Your lectures lately focus on the idea that there is hope for a better world.
I share in your optimism, but sometimes it feels like things get darker and darker.
What drives you to keep going?
I wouldn’t keep going if I didn’t know that going to a place makes a difference.
And I only know that because people tell me.
I get letters saying I’d given up.
But after your lecture, I promise you I’ll do my bit.
Now, I’ll never hurt another animal as long as I live.
Are you still surprised this is the way your life has unfolded?
The amazing legacy youve been able to create?
I go through an airport with dark glasses and my hair down, and still people recognized me.
And after, when if you finally decide to stop traveling, who will be the next Jane Goodall?
Do you think that the next Jane will be one of these children who have heard your message?
I think there’ll be a lot of Jane Goodalls springing up.
I mean, nobody can be me.
I’ve lived 90 years.
But passion, commitment, dedication, children today have all of these.
Some children are doing amazing things.
And animals on the brink can be given another chance.
