World-renowned wildlife advocate and primate expert Jane Goodall has died at the age of 91.

The scientist and global activist died of natural causes while she was in California on a speaking tour, the Jane Goodall Institute has confirmed.

The eponymous institute paid tribute to her in a social media post early on Thursday morning, saying Ms Goodall had "died peacefully in her sleep while in Los Angeles".

"Dr Goodall’s life and work not only made an indelible mark on our understanding of chimpanzees and other species, but also of humankind and the environments we all share. She inspired curiosity, hope and compassion in countless people around the world, and paved the way for many others — particularly young people who gave her hope for the future," a post on the institute's Facebook pag

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