Isolated from scholarly prejudices, she would approach the project with an open mind. Goodall had already demonstrated her ability to live in primitive conditions. She also possessed a deep love of animals and had a great deal of patience, qualities that would stand her in good stead during the long months of isolation. Leakey believed all these traits more than made up for her lack of academic credentials. Yet, he admitted that though he had been planning to propose this course for a long time, he had been cautious about approaching her. Leakey wanted to make sure during their conversations that Jane fully appreciated the requirements and the risks that such an undertaking entailed. He had hoped, in fact, that she would come to him, and now she had.