The Heartwarming Story of Why Jane Goodall Always Brought a Stuffed Monkey Along on Her Travels

The stuffed monkey would accompany the primatologist and anthropologist on her travels before she sadly passed away recently.

For decades, a small stuffed gray monkey quietly appeared beside one of the world's most famous primatologists — a soft-spoken British woman who changed the way we see animals. He isn't real. But his story is.

And now, as the world says goodbye to Dr. Jane Goodall, the heart-wrenching tale of her plush companion, Mr. H, has taken center stage — a tale etched in tragedy, resilience, and quiet joy.

A Monkey, a Magician, and an Unbreakable Bond

In a 2016 article by Jane Goodall Institute Canada volunteer Agata Gutkowska, the sweet and surprising backstory behind Mr. H was revealed. This unassuming stuffed monkey had not only accompanied Goodall to over 60 countries — he had become a cherished symbol of strength.

"Mr. H is as cultured as he is adorable. He also happens to be Jane Goodall's famous sidekick, accompanying her on all her travel adventures, whether she's visiting a chimpanzee sanctuary in Africa or giving a lecture in Toronto," wrote Gutkowska.

These words, lovingly preserved on the Jane Goodall Institute's website, hint at the profound emotional weight carried by this seemingly playful companion.

But Mr. H is no ordinary toy. He entered Goodall's life in 1996 as a birthday gift from her dear friend Gary Haun, a former U.S. Marine who had lost his sight in a devastating helicopter crash in his twenties.

Rather than let tragedy define him, Haun chose a path few could have imagined — he became a magician, inspiring countless others with his resilience.

This remarkable man would come to inspire Goodall so deeply that she turned the gift into a living, traveling tribute to perseverance. And so, Mr. H transformed — from a plush birthday gift into the motivational mascot of the Jane Goodall Institute.

And something extraordinary happened with every encounter between Mr. H and the many people he met. "The hope and inspiration that Mr. H represents rubs off on every person who touches him," penned Gutkowska.

A Star Is Born: Mr H. Live on Late-Night TV

While the story of Mr. H's origins was immortalized in writing, Goodall also took every opportunity to share his message in person — often with the stuffed monkey quite literally in hand. One such moment came during her 2019 appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," where Mr. H made a charming cameo alongside his beloved companion.

Cradling him gently on set, Goodall recounted to Fallon and his audience the touching backstory, "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 went on to reiterate the story of Haun and how he defied expectations by becoming a magician — so skilled, she said, that "the kids don't know he's blind." Quoting her friend's mantra, Goodall added, "If something goes wrong in your life, don't give up. There's always a way forward."

By then, Mr. H had joined her on journeys to 65 countries — a count she proudly updated on air. Fallon, caught up in the monkey's magnetism, playfully apologized for not greeting him properly.

"I should have said, 'Hi.' I'm sorry. I didn't say hello and shake your hand. Hi, Mr. H. Thank you so much for coming on our show. We really appreciate this," he stated, prompting laughter and warmth from the audience.

One Question, One Toy, and a Thousand Lives Touched

In the hands of thousands — maybe millions — Mr. H offered more than a smile. He offered solace, optimism, and belief in second chances. Even well into her later years, Goodall never tired of telling Mr. H's story — often to curious children who couldn't help but ask why a renowned primatologist carried around a stuffed monkey.

In a video posted to Instagram in 2024, Goodall addressed the question with her usual warmth and humor. She explained, once again, that the plush toy was a gift from her friend Haun, the blind magician who inspired her deeply. "The reason I carry him with me is because he is my little mascot," she added.

In addition to the video, Goodall shared a carousel of photos showing some of the extraordinary moments Mr. H had been part of. One image captures her holding Mr. H during her appointment as a United Nations (UN) Messenger of Peace, standing beside former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Another shows her raising the plush monkey high onstage, proudly displaying its tail to an audience. In one especially touching black-and-white photo, schoolchildren reach out to touch Mr. H as Goodall beams beside them.

Mr. H Junior: A Symbol You Can Hold

A different image features Haun himself, standing beside Goodall, both smiling broadly with Mr. H held between them — a reunion of three friends bonded by shared resilience.

For those moved by Mr. H's story — or perhaps inspired to carry a bit of Goodall's hope into their own lives — a miniature version of the beloved monkey is available for purchase through her official "Good for All Goods" shop. Aptly named Mr. H Junior, the plush is designed to resemble Goodall's ever-present companion and stands at 7.5 inches tall and four inches wide.

Handcrafted in the U.S. with ethical production standards — "no child labor involved," the site assures — Mr. H Junior is more than just a soft toy.

Marketed as "the perfect traveling companion," he serves as a tangible reminder of Goodall's enduring message of peace, compassion, and resilience. At $27, he invites supporters of all ages to carry forward her legacy in a deeply personal way. Much like his namesake, Mr. H Junior isn't just something to hold — he's something to believe in.

The Passing of the Woman Who Revolutionized the Way in Which We Understand Animals

That mission feels all the more poignant in the wake of heartbreaking news. On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the Jane Goodall Institute confirmed that Goodall had passed away from natural causes while in California, where she had been continuing her speaking tour. She was 91 years old.

A trailblazer in science, Goodall's work as an ethologist revolutionized our understanding of animal intelligence, empathy, and connection.

But beyond the research and accolades, she was a tireless advocate for nature, and for the idea that one person, even with the gentlest of voices, could ignite global change.

Her legacy lives on in sanctuaries, schools, forests, and in the soft, smiling face of a little gray monkey who reminds us all that hope is never out of reach.