JGI supports the draft law to ban whaling in Iceland

The Jane Goodall Institute calls for a compassionate attitude towards whales and to halt the practice of whaling. Our Cetacean Committee has published a statement of support for the draft law to ban this practice in Iceland. We thank the Icelandic MPs who are proposing this and appreciate the transparency of the process.


This Icelandic draft law is currently under consideration (154th Legislative Session 2023–2024: Assembly Record 99 — Issue 99).

Cetaceans are social, large-brained mammals known to form distinct cultures and strong, intricate social bonds. We now have a much better understanding of their remarkable communication abilities, complex behaviours and distinct communities. Humanity’s long and extensive exploitation of whales, which has led to the decimation of populations, was once considered acceptable.

We now know far more about cetaceans, therefore ignorance is no longer an excuse for allowing the suffering these mammals experience during the whaling process. Harpooning whales has historically been a cruel means of obtaining products for our consumption and we are aware that research on Iceland’s own whaling has recently generated hard evidence which reinforces welfare concerns.

We also understand that public opinion in Iceland has shifted with most people now objecting to whaling, furthermore, the opposition to this practice continues to increase incrementally. Dr Jane Goodall has dedicated her life to the conservation and welfare of wild animals, in particular primates and she learnt a great deal about cetaceans from her friend, the late whale biologist Roger Payne.

We are certain that Roger Payne would also have wanted to also send you a message of support for a whaling ban. Additionally, two years ago, on the 75th anniversary of the formation of the IWC (International Whaling Commission), Dr Goodall joined with others in supporting a new vision for our relationship with cetaceans and a new strategic plan for the IWC.

It would be wonderful to see Iceland join with the other pro-conservation nations in supporting this vision wholeheartedly. View the Supporting Statement here and the IWC Strategic vision here.

We strongly believe that Iceland can become a world leader for marine protection and a beacon of hope for the future through providing a shining example of compassion and understanding towards these sentient, intelligent beings we share our world with.

You can download this statement in PDF format here.

For correspondence, please email: melodyhorrillauthor@gmail.com or koen.margodt@janegoodall.global

The JGI Cetacean Committee members involved in this statement

Dr Jane Goodall (DBE, Founder – the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace), Dr Denise Herzing, Melody Horrill, Dr Soojin Jang, Dr Koen Margodt (the Jane Goodall Institute), Dr Lori Marino (Whale Sanctuary Project), Dr Ada Natoli, Dr Rick Quinn (the Jane Goodall Institute), Charles Vinick (Whale Sanctuary Project) and Sarah Wertkin (the Jane Goodall Institute) 

Headline image credit: Shutterstock (with permission)

The future of Pink is Green! Introducing the Jane Goodall Barbie!

Introducing the brand-new Jane Goodall Barbie doll! This incredible Barbie is the newest honouree in the Inspiring Women series – and the first doll in Mattel’s Barbie collection made from recycled ocean-bound plastic. 

Created in partnership between Mattel and the Jane Goodall Institute, the Jane Goodall Barbie doll inspires generations of changemakers to make a difference for people, other animals, and the planet we share.

Barbie is recognising renowned ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall with the first ever Inspiring Women doll made from recycled ocean bound plastic and certified CarbonNeutral created in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI).

“My entire career, I’ve wanted to help inspire kids to be curious and explore the world around them,” Goodall says. “I’m thrilled to partner with Barbie and encourage young children to learn from their environment and feel a sense that they can make a difference”

The new doll’s launch coincides with the 62nd anniversary of Goodall’s first visit to Tanzania’s Gombe National Park, where she conducted groundbreaking research on wild chimpanzees.

Since Dr. Jane Goodall’s  historic journey to Tanzania at age 26 to study chimpanzees in their natural habitat, she has paved the way for generations of future humanitarian leaders to forge their own path. Her life-long work as a renowned ethologist, conservationist, and animal advocate, has been a tour de force of compassion and a benefit to our entire planet.

Here’s how you can purchase your very own Jane Goodall Barbie! 

  • Available Now – Amazon Australia, Toy Mate & ToyWorld (multiple locations throughout AU)
  • July – Target. Available on their sites soon
  • August – Myer

Jane Goodall named one of the 10 most inspiring women for ‘Statues For Equality’

Jane Goodall has been named one of the ten most inspiring women of our time. As part of the global art project Statues For Equality, a project aiming to promote gender equality in public statues around the world, Goodall will be immortalised as a life-size bronze statue in New York City.

Created by world renowned artists Gillie and Marc, the most successful and prolific creators of public art in New York’s History according to the New York Times, Statues For Equality aims to transform the serious imbalance in the representation of historical women memorialised as public statues.

In New York City, only 3% of the statues depict women, a statistic that is mirrored around the globe. Statues For Equality is turning the tide on this with the introduction of ten new sculptures of inspiring women, including Jane Goodall.

Goodall will have her likeness erected alongside nine other women on Women’s Equality Day (August 26) at RXR Realty’s famous 1285 Avenue of the Americas. She will be joined by Oprah Winfrey, Pink, Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Tererai Trent, Janet Mock, Tracy Dyson, Cheryl Strayed, and Gabby Douglas.

This is only the beginning of the project with the artists encouraging the public to nominate the women they think should be memorialised. Already two new women have been added to the list: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and tennis superstar Serena Williams. These will be completed in 2020.

The aim is for the project is to become a global movement, changing the representation of women one sculpture at a time.

“We hope that as the project expands, it will include a broader diversity of race, class, ability, sexual orientation and gender expression,” says Gillie.

About Gillie and Marc

Gillie and Marc have been called the most successful and prolific creators of public art in New York’s History by the New York Times. Creating some of the world’s most innovative public sculptures, Gillie and Marc are re-designing what public art should be, spreading messages of love, equality, and conservation around the world. Their highly coveted sculptures and paintings can be seen in art galleries and public sites in over 250 cities. They’re Archibald Prize Finalists and have won the Chianciano Biennale in Italy, among other notable awards and accolades.

Referred to by the media as “the world’s most loving artists”, this artistic duo has worked side by side for 27 years, creating art as one and spreading the love they have for each other with the world. The artists first met on a film shoot in Hong Kong and 7-days later they ran away to Nepal to get married on the foothills of Mount Everest. They’ve been inseparable ever since.

The artists are best known for their beloved characters, Rabbitwoman and Dogman, who tell the autobiographical tale of two opposites coming together to become best friends and soul mates. As unlikely animal kingdom companions, the Rabbit and the Dog stand for diversity and acceptance through love. Gillie and Marc believe art is a powerful platform for change. Their art is multi-disciplinary, paying homage to the importance of togetherness, as well as the magnificence of the natural world, and the necessity of preserving it – for we are it, and it is us.

Their art has raised hundreds of thousands in donations for the many wildlife charities and causes they support. For more information, visit www.gillieandmarc.com or www.goodbyerhinos.org.