The very first Roots & Shoots group

The very first Roots & Shoots group began in 1991 at Dr. Jane's house in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Sixteen Tanzanian students met with Dr. Jane to talk about animal behavior and the environment. They discussed the chimpanzees with their different personalities, intellectual skills, emotions, rich family lives, and political skills. The students were fascinated. Suddenly, they realized that there was not, after all, a sharp line dividing humans from the rest of the animal kingdom. This led to a new understanding of other amazing animals. They talked of elephants and culling. They talked of conditions suffered by chickens and goats in some markets. And as they continued to talk, the students found that they wanted to do something about these problems.