A group of lucky canines will take part in celebrating the upcoming 90th birthday ofDr. Jane Goodall.
The iconic British primatologist and anthropologist, whose birthday is April 3, tells PEOPLE that she’s looking forward to an upcoming event honoring her in California next week.
However, more celebrations for the renowned conservationist are planned for the entire year of 2024, including a large party in New York and fundraising activities in San Francisco and Seattle.
“I’m celebrating for a whole year,” says Goodall. “All the Jane Goodall Institute [locations] want to do an event. Of course, a lot of that’s fundraising: 90th birthday, invite people… There are several countries doing auctions. It’s the entire year.”
Goodall has already gotten early birthday wishes fromCheron the British television showLorraine, as well asPierce Brosnanand his wifeKeely Shaye.
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In anInstagram postfeaturing Shaye and Goodall on Wednesday, theGoldenEyeactor wrote: “Happy 90th pre-birthday to a genuine trailblazer, legend, and hero of the planet, Dr. Jane Goodall, What a privilege it is to know you, to celebrate you, and to call you [a] friend for nearly 30 years.”
When asked if she’s already received birthday greetings from other celebrities, Goodall says they’ll be saving it for when they celebrate in person.
“People like Leo DiCaprio are coming to one birthday [event], and Dave Matthews is playing at another,” she says. “I can’t keep up with all these people in all these places, and I’m not even trying.”
Even as she approaches 90, Goodall’s schedule remains busier than ever. According to theJane Goodall Institute, the tireless advocate — who travels about 300 days a year sharing her passion for chimpanzees and environmental issues — “will continue to spread her message of hope through action” in various parts of the world this year.
“Everybody wants to visit me on my 90th birthday,” Goodall tells PEOPLE. “I’ve been literally traveling nonstop since January the 12th. I’ve had five days at home in England, and the rest has been from place to place to place to place.”
Despite her decades-long work, Goodall — who is pushing the Institute’sRoots & Shootsinitiative to “empower young people to affect positive change in their communities” — admits that she is still surprised that random people recognize her.
source: people.com
