Jane Goodall, wild chimpanzee researcher – and rat defender! Dr. Jane would often say that she loved every animal, even rats. When she was on the road, she had this stuffed toy rat – named Ratty! – that she used to speak about how smart these animals are. Photos: Subway Takes / LJ Garcia / APOPO

Chimpanzees – they are just like us! One of the greatest contributions Dr. Jane made was that she proved humans are not that different from the rest of the animal kingdom. People once thought that only humans made and used tools, for example – but she let us know that chimpanzees do, too.

At the Jane Goodall Institute's Gombe Stream Research Centre, the team has been studying the same chimpanzees – uninterrupted – for decades. This year marks 66 years of ongoing research. That was when Dr. Jane started her research that went on to transform science forever. Video: Sims Patton

Update from Tchimpounga Nature Reserve: New research has confirmed the presence of African manatees within the reserve's waterways – which also form the boundaries of the Jane Goodall Institute's Tchimpounga Sanctuary! Photos: Txema Broton

The chimpanzee you see here was rescued recently. An ecoguard spotted the chimpanzee and an unknown trafficker near the Conkouati-Douli National Park. When the ecoguard confronted them, the trafficker fled – and left the baby chimpanzee. She was dehydrated, exhausted, and alone. Photo: Maria Ruiz

We cannot afford to ignore Mother Nature when she speaks. And last week, with forest fires burning and affecting millions, Mother Nature was clearly calling out for help. We're listening – and with our partners, including the community members seen here, we're taking action. Video: Bella Lam

Dr. Jane was once asked when she started loving animals, and she said: "When I popped out of my mother's womb!" She loved to share one particular story from her childhood, when her mom stumbled on her studying Earthworms – in her bed! Photos: The Goodall Family

Rescuing animals is only possible with careful planning, dedicated partners, and adaptable team members. This year, JGI in the Republic of the Congo led the rescue efforts of Lola the chimpanzee and Nico the mandrill. They were both from Equatorial Guinea and kept as pets. Photos: Paloma Corbi

We want you to meet Dr. Rebeca Atencia — the head veterinarian at the Jane Goodall Institute's Tchimpounga Sanctuary. Since she started working at Tchimpounga, the sanctuary has expanded to become the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in African. Photos: Fernando Turmo / Paloma Corbi

Want to hear the most important message that Dr. Jane had for you? Watch this video. She may have recorded this video years ago, but she repeated this message over and over – because she believed each word. To help us carry forth the work Dr. Jane started, go to JaneGoodall.ca.

Dr. Jane took this photo! Her mother-infant study, which began in the 1960s, is an important part of the Institute's work at Gombe. The study has continued through five generations of two families of chimpanzees. Photos: Dr. Jane Goodall / Hugo van Lawick / Deus Cyprian / Michael Wilson

Why did Dr. Jane always travel around with this stuffed monkey? Her beloved stuffed monkey, named Mr. H, helped her connect with young people. And because an essential part of her mission was to inspire the next generation of conservation leaders, this was very important. Photo: Pigcasso

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Each year, we come together on World Chimpanzee Day to celebrate our closest animal relatives – and to honour Dr. Jane and the landmark research she conducted. This year, as we marked the day without Dr. Jane, your support has been remarkable. Photo: Fernando Turmo

Did you know that fruit can make up more than half – close to 60% – of what chimpanzees eat? Just look at Wounda and her baby, Hope, here! And at Tchimpounga Sanctuary, home to more than 150 chimpanzees, the team ensures that the rescued animals get balanced and fresh meals. Photos: Fernando Turmo

"Chimpanzees are important and deserve our concern." When she recorded this video years ago, that was the message Dr. Jane hoped you would share. And all these years later, for World Chimpanzee Day today, we want you to share that same message with your followers.

Happy World Chimpanzee Day! What started with one woman has turned into an annual celebration. This year, that woman – Dr. Jane Goodall – won't be here to take part in the big day. But that can't stop us from carrying her work forward. Photos: Hugo van Lawick / National Geographic / Fernado Turmo

Meet Kuseka, one of the chimpanzees who can now get the second chance he deserves at Tchimpounga Sanctuary. When Congolese authorities rescued him chimpanzee from traffickers, the Jane Goodall Institute immediately set out to help with transporting him to the sanctuary. Photos: Fernando Turmo

We want to talk about Hope today! Not "hope" the abstract concept, but Hope the chimpanzee! Over the past week, you have read about Wounda – whose name means "close to death," because few thought she'd survive when she was rescued. But have you read about her baby, Hope? Photos: Fernando Turmo

Introducing the place where rescued chimpanzees can get the second chance they deserve: Tchimpounga Sanctuary. Here, young chimpanzees are able to learn what they need to know to survive – such as how to find food, how to build nests, and how to spot natural dangers. Photos: Fernando Turmo

The name Wounda means "close to death" – because when she was rescued and arrived at Tchimpounga Sanctuary, very few thought that she'd survive. But with care and love from the Jane Goodall Institute team, and with support from our generous community, Wounda has been able to heal and grow.

TGIF! Kevin looks quite relaxed to us. Your support made that possible. Before he was rescued and carefully transferred to the Jane Goodall Institute's Tchimpounga Sanctuary, Kevin was found crying inside someone's house. Photo: Fernando Turmo

Double the amount. Double the impact. Want your donation for World Chimpanzee Day to be matched? You have five more days! Between now and July 14th, Nature's Path is going to match every donation – up to $10,000. Photo: Fernando Turmo

July 14th marks World Chimpanzee Day. It is an opportunity to celebrate our closest animal relatives — and to honour the landmark research that Dr. Jane started on that day back in 1960. She only had her notebook and her binoculars, but she was committed and passionate. Photos: Hugo van Lawick

What you're about to watch was one of Dr. Jane's most treasured moments. This moment came when Wounda, the chimpanzee seen here, was released onto Tchindzoulou Island – part of the Jane Goodall Institute's Tchimpounga Sanctuary.

Roots & Shoots was created when some students approached Dr. Jane and told her they worry about the environment but don't know where to start with taking action. She knew they were able to lead the way – but they needed support, structure, and resources. That's what Roots & Shoots helps with.

Dr. Jane was once asked when she started loving animals, and she said: "When I popped out of my mother's womb!" She loved to share one particular story from her childhood, when her mom stumbled on her studying Earthworms – in her bed! Watch this video to hear the story. Video: Kelly Clarkson Show

Last year, an individual in Kimbakala Village purchased this chimpanzee – Kala – to be his pet. When he was told that this was illegal, he wanted a better future for her. What happened next would change the course of this chimpanzee's life. Photo: Fernando Turmo

It's hot out there, folks – and even the best conservation and environmental leaders (you!) deserve some time to cool down. We hope you can find your own spot out of the sun this weekend, just like Dr. Jane did here, and keep cool.

"It's a love story, baby, just say yes." 🎶 That song is stuck in our heads today, but we're not sure about this love story from Tchimpounga. From time to time, the team at the sanctuary sees romance brewing between chimpanzees. Yet with romance can also come rejection... Photos: Fernando Turmo

Want to get ready for the Jane Goodall Hike for Hope but don't know where to start? We've partnered with GoodLife Fitness for the hike – and they're giving everyone who registers an exclusive (and complimentary!) 7-day trial pass. That's a $210 value! Photo: Chase Pickering / GoodLife Fitness