National

Natural world

Opinion

Kim McKay Museum director October 2, 2025 — 3.30pm

I first met Dr Jane Goodall in the early 2000s when I was at National Geographic in Washington, DC. She was one of an elite group known as an “explorer-in-residence” whom Nat Geo had funded to do research, write, speak out and inspire future generations.

We were seated around the table in the Founders Room, an austere room with portraits of the world’s greatest explorers, like Hiram Bingham and Robert Ballard, on the walls. But all eyes were on Dr Goodall, of course.

She was then in her 60s with a birdlike frame but the energy of a stalking lion. She had a laserlike focus on raising funds, negotiating deals to benefit her causes, and reaching as many people as possible across the globe.

I rem

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