Internationally renowned for her dedication and approach to improving the environment, Dr. Jane Goodall is an inspirational hero to many. Dr. Goodall has the unique ability to motivate and encourage others who in turn inspire her. Jane Goodall has chosen Juan Carlos Antezana, founder and president of Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi, as one of her heroes. Viewers met him and others on Jane Goodall's Heroes on the Discovery Channel August 2006.

"Throughout my life I've come in contact with people from all walks of life who have committed themselves to furthering conservation and improving the lives of animals," said Dr. Jane Goodall. "These five individuals show that regardless of age or what type or size of the project that we take on, we can all make a difference and make our world a better place for all living things."

Dr. Goodall's heroes are from all around the world with diverse backgrounds. The two things they all have in common is that they are passionate about animals and conservation, and are dedicated to their work. Dr. Goodall's heroes include:

• Washo Shadowhawk, a 15 year-old Native-American boy from Oregon who is involved with a local Roots & Shoots program that provides enrichment to monkeys at a primate research center. Founded by Jane Goodall, Roots & Shoots is a worldwide grassroots program that calls young people to engage in action, making a difference for people, animals and the environment.
• Samuel Hung who lives in Hong Kong and has devoted his life to studying and helping the endangered Chinese white dolphins.
• George Archibald, the co-founder of the International Crane Foundation (ICF) in Baraboo, Wisconsin. When he began the ICF there were 25 pairs of whooping cranes left in the world, now there are 12,000!
• Tom Mangelsen, a renowned wildlife photographer who recently founded the Cougar Fund, which strives to protect the cougar throughout the Americas and to educate the public on the value of cougars in nature.
• Juan Carlos Antezana who runs the Inti Wara Yassi sanctuary in Bolivia for street children, who rehabilitate Amazonian wildlife such as pumas, jaguars and monkeys.

"Dr. Goodall is a hero to countless people around the world", says Maureen Smith, general manager of Animal Planet. "So I think it's extraordinary to meet the people who inspire Jane, who happens to be a hero of mine since childhood. We believe that viewers will be fascinated to learn more about these incredible people and will be motivated to make a difference."

To learn more about volunteering, see this page.

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