Jane Goodall at the 92nd Street Y

In 1957, paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey, busy rewriting the history of human evolution with his research at Olduvai Gorge, received a phone call from a total stranger, a young woman who was keen on animals and visiting friends in Kenya. Taken with her enthusiasm and intelligence, Leakey invited her up to his camp. His initial impressions were confirmed, so he decided to ask the woman to do something no one had ever successfully done--go live with chimpanzees and find out how our closest relatives go about their lives.

Nearly half a century after she arrived in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park (with her mother as her chaperone), Jane Goodall is the most famous primatologist who ever lived, having discovered tool use in chimps, among other accomplishments, and her initial research project is still going strong. Reflecting on her career recently at the 92nd Street Y, she denied having any special talents that propelled her into history. Rather, she said, she never lost the innate curiosity that all children have, and she coupled this wide-eyed enchantment with a deep respect for animals as individuals.

In her 70s now, Goodall travels a grueling 300 days a year promoting conservation and environmental awareness. But her talk made it clear that her beaming demeanor, quick wit ("Tarzan chose the wrong Jane"), and infectious excitement haven't suffered in the slightest. She brims with the same question that she says is in her head every morning in the field: "What am I going to see today?"

Photo: thanks