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Animal Rights Champion Jane Goodall To Speak At Danbury's Wcsu

DANBURY, CONN. -- As the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees, Jane Goodall has focused her life’s work on primates.

Jane Goodall is the world's leading expert on chimpanzees.

Jane Goodall is the world's leading expert on chimpanzees.

Photo Credit: GANT/Morten Bjarnhof

But also being a champion of conservation and animal welfare issues, she said, she felt compelled to express her shock and sorrow at the death of Cecil, a famed African lion who was killed with an arrow by Walter Palmer, an American big-game hunter.

She will speak on that and other issues in September at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.

The killing sparked a firestorm of media attention and drew the wrath of conservationists, celebrities, and the public alike. This, Goodall said, is the only “good thing” to come out of the situation.

“Thousands of people have read the story and have also been shocked. Their eyes opened to the dark side of human nature. Surely they will now be more prepared to fight for the protection of wild animals and the wild places where they live. Therein lies the hope,” Goodall said in a recent statement.

Goodall will address that hope during her talk set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in Ives Concert Hall in White Hall at the university’s midtown campus, 181 White St.

The lecture, “Sowing the Seeds of Hope,” will be followed by the dedication of the university’s Permaculture Garden.

She will also sign copies of her New York Times bestselling book, “Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the World of Plants.”

Goodall has visited Western a number of times since the establishment of the Jane Goodall Center for Excellence in Environmental Studies 15 years ago, according to Dr. Laurie Weinstein, an anthropology professor who heads the center.

Weinstein, calling her “the most influential, inspirational, and motivational person” she had ever met, said Goodall is the spark behind many of Western’s projects, including outreach to local schools, businesses and organizations.

For tickets, call (203)-837-TIXX (8499), or visit www.wcsu.edu/tickets, or for more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203)-837-8486.

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