'Once in a century human': Jane Goodall's Aussie mark

On one of her many visits to Taronga Zoo, celebrated British scientist and conservationist Jane Goodall said she felt at home.

Richard Buzas, primates supervisor at the zoo on Sydney Harbour, fondly remembers the warmth of the diminutive primatology powerhouse, who died aged 91 while on a US speaking tour.

"She really wanted to know our community here," Mr Buzas told reporters on Thursday, surrounded by chimps behind him.

"The time when she said 'if I were to be a chimpanzee in a zoo setting, I'd want to be at Taronga Zoo'.

"Sitting with her and learning from her... was very special."

Dr Goodall, who gained global attention in the 1960s through her groundbreaking study of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania, often travelled to Australia and commented on local conservation efforts.

She regul