The Heartwarming Story of Why Jane Goodall Always Brought a Stuffed Monkey Along on Her Travels
Before she tragically passed away recently, the stuffed monkey would travel with the primatologist and anthropologist.
For many years, a small plush grey monkey lived in silence next to one of the most well-known primatologists in the world. She was a gentle British woman who revolutionised the way we view animals. He’s not real. However, his tale is.
The heartbreaking story of Dr. Jane Goodall’s plush companion, Mr. H, has suddenly taken centre stage as the world bids her farewell. It is a story filled with tragedy, resiliency, and quiet delight.
An Unbreakable Bond, a Magician, and a Monkey
Agata Gutkowska, a volunteer at the Jane Goodall Institute Canada, wrote a piece in 2016 that shared the endearing and unexpected history of Mr. H. In addition to travelling with Goodall to more than 60 nations, this modest stuffed animal had grown to be a beloved representation of strength.
“Mr. H is both charming and well-cultured. In addition, he is Jane Goodall’s well-known sidekick, going everywhere with her, whether she’s giving a talk in Toronto or seeing a chimpanzee refuge in Africa,” wrote Gutkowska.
These comments, which have been painstakingly kept on the website of the Jane Goodall Institute, allude to the deep mental burden that this apparently light-hearted friend bears.
Mr. H, however, is not your typical toy. In 1996, Goodall’s close friend Gary Haun, a former U.S. Marine who had lost his sight in a tragic helicopter crash in his twenties, gave him to her as a birthday present.
Instead of allowing tragedy to define him, Haun took a route that few could have predicted: he became a magician, and his fortitude inspired innumerable others.
Goodall would become so enamoured with this extraordinary man that she transformed the gift into a travelling, live ode to tenacity. As a result, Mr. H changed from a stuffed animal given as a birthday present to the inspirational mascot of the Jane Goodall Institute.
And every time Mr. H interacted with the numerous individuals he encountered, something remarkable occurred. “The hope and inspiration that Mr. H represents rubs off on every person who touches him,” wrote Gutkowska.
Mr. H. Live on Late-Night TV: A Star Is Born
Goodall used every chance to deliver his message in person, frequently holding the stuffed monkey in his hands, even though the origin story of Mr. H was documented in writing. One such instance occurred when she appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” in 2019, and Mr. H made a sweet cameo with his cherished friend.
Goodall held him tenderly on set while sharing the heartwarming background with Fallon and his viewers: “Mr. H was given to me 29 years ago for my birthday by a man called Gary Haun, which is why he’s Mr. H.”
She continued by recounting Haun’s story of defying expectations by succeeding as a magician, saying that he is so good at it that “the kids don’t know he’s blind.” “Don’t give up if something goes wrong in your life,” Goodall continued, quoting her friend’s motto. There is always hope for the future.
She proudly updated the count on air, stating that Mr. H had accompanied her on trips to 65 nations by that point. Fallon, enthralled with the monkey’s charm, jokingly expressed regret for not extending a formal greeting.
“I ought to have said hello. I apologise. I didn’t shake your hand or say hi. Hello, Mr. H. We appreciate you joining our show. “We truly appreciate this,” he said, evoking love and laughter from the crowd.
A single inquiry, a single toy, and a thousand lives impacted
Mr. H provided more than just a smile in the hands of thousands, if not millions. He provided consolation, hope, and faith in second opportunities. Goodall continued to narrate Mr. H’s story far into her senior years, frequently to inquisitive kids who couldn’t help but wonder why a famous primatologist would carry a plush monkey.
In 2024, Goodall responded to the query with her typical humour and tenderness in a video that was uploaded to Instagram. She reiterated that the stuffed animal was a present from her friend Haun, the blind magician who greatly influenced her. “The reason I carry him with me is because he is my little mascot,” she said.
Along with the film, Goodall posted a rotating collection of images showcasing some of the remarkable events that Mr. H had been a part of. One picture shows her standing next to former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as she was appointed a United Nations (UN) Messenger of Peace, holding Mr. H.
In another, she proudly displays the plush monkey’s tail to the audience by hoisting it high onstage. One particularly poignant black-and-white image shows youngsters reaching out to touch Mr. H while Goodall smiles next to them.
Mr. H Junior: A Handheld Symbol
An alternative picture with Three friends united by a common tenacity are reunited as Haun stands next to Goodall, grinning widely and holding Mr. H between them.
A miniature version of the cherished monkey can be purchased through her official “Good for All Goods” store for individuals who are touched by Mr. H’s story or who may be motivated to bring a little of Goodall’s hope into their own life. Standing 7.5 inches tall and 4 inches wide, the plush toy, appropriately named Mr. H Junior, is made to look like Goodall’s constant friend.
Mr. H Junior is more than just a soft toy; it is handcrafted in the United States using ethical production standards, with “no child labour involved,” the website guarantees.
He is marketed as “the perfect travelling companion,” a physical reminder of Goodall’s timeless message of compassion, serenity, and fortitude. He encourages fans of all ages to continue her legacy in a very intimate way by purchasing it for $27. Like his namesake, Mr. H Junior is something to believe in rather than merely something to hold.
The Death of the Woman Who Transformed Our Understanding of Animals
In the wake of devastating news, that objective seems even more important. Goodall died of natural causes in California, where she was continuing her speaking tour, according to the Jane Goodall Institute on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Her age was ninety-one.
Goodall was a scientific innovator whose work as an ethologist transformed our knowledge of animal connection, empathy, and intelligence.
She was a tireless supporter of nature and the belief that one individual, even with the softest voice, might spark global change, notwithstanding her study and honours.
Her legacy endures in woods, schools, and sanctuaries, as well as in the kind, contented face of a small grey monkey who serves as a constant reminder that there is always hope.
