Jane Goodall’s cause of death is revealed weeks after the beloved primatologist died at age 91.

Jane Goodall’s cause of death has been revealed.

Weeks after the primatologist’s death at age 91, reports have emerged that she died of “cardiopulmonary arrest,” or cardiac arrest. according to TMZwho cited his death certificate.

The certificate, issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, also indicated that the conservationist also had epilepsy, although it is unclear if that was a factor in her death.

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Goodall died on October 1 in California while on a speaking tour of the United States, as News Digital previously reported.

The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) initially reported that he died “of natural causes.” News Digital has reached out to JGI for comment.

Cardiac arrest occurs when an electrical problem causes the heart to stop beating, health experts confirm.

When the heart no longer pumps blood, the person loses consciousness and can cause death within minutes.

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Before losing consciousness, someone experiencing cardiac arrest may have symptoms including palpitations, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, dizziness, lightheadedness and weakness, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

This is different from a heart attack (myocardial infarction), which occurs when a coronary artery becomes blocked, cutting off the blood supply and causing injury to the heart muscle, according to the American Heart Association.

Certain groups face a higher risk of cardiopulmonary arrest, including older people, men, and people who have other cardiovascular risk factors, such as high cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes.

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According to the Mayo Clinic, people who are obese, inactive, or smoke are also at higher risk.

Other higher risk groups include those with congenital heart defects or disorders, structural heart problems, or a history of coronary artery disease or heart failure.

After Jane Goodall’s death, JGI issued a statement saying, “Dr. Goodall’s discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world.”

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Goodall’s fascination with primates began at an early age. She earned a doctorate in ethology from the University of Cambridge in the mid-1960s, being one of the few students admitted without a prior bachelor’s degree.

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In 1960 he discovered what chimpanzees can use and make tools, which the JGI called “one of the greatest achievements of 20th century scholarship.” He founded his institute, which has become a prominent conservation NGO, in 1977.

“She took an unorthodox approach to her field research, immersing herself in their habitat and their lives to experience their complex society as a neighbor rather than a distant observer and come to understand them not only as a species, but also as individuals with emotions and long-term bonds,” the JGI site notes.

In 1991 he founded the Roots & Shoots program, a youth movement focused about conservation and humanitarianism.

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Most recently, Goodall received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President joe biden at the beginning of 2025.

News Digital’s Brooke Curto contributed reporting.