For more than 25 years, Dr. Lilian Pintea has been at the forefront of applying geospatial technologies to protect chimpanzees and their habitats across Africa. Working closely with Dr. Jane Goodall, whose legacy of visionary wild chimpanzee research transformed our understanding of the animal kingdom and redefined modern conservation, Dr. Pintea has helped lead a technological revolution that continues to shape how governments, researchers, and local communities approach environmental stewardship.
In this keynote, Dr. Pintea will highlight the cutting-edge use of satellite, lidar, drone-based mapping, and AI-driven data integration, techniques that allow researchers to quantify forest structure, map chimpanzee habitats in 3D, and connect acoustic, behavioral, and environmental datasets in entirely new ways. These innovations are driving digital twin creation, helping accelerate restoration efforts, improve habitat modeling, and build resilience in regions facing mounting pressure from climate change. Dr. Pintea will highlight how the Jane Goodall Institute’s approach, grounded in transparency, equity, and collaboration with local communities, reflects Dr. Goodall’s belief that effective conservation must benefit both people and wildlife. From advancing habitat modeling to supporting restoration and climate resilience, this session illustrates how human-centered conservation and modern mapping technologies can work together to drive measurable, meaningful change on the ground.
