The time is now
Lemurs are the most endangered mammals on Earth
about
Duke Lemur Center
Founded in 1966 on the campus of Duke University in Durham, NC, the Duke Lemur Center is a world leader in the study, care, and protection of lemurs—Earth’s most threatened group of mammals.
With more than 200 animals across 13 species, the DLC houses the world’s most diverse population of lemurs outside their native Madagascar.
Want to visit? We’d love to host you! Just note that tour reservations are required in advance.
Our Mission
To advance science, scholarship, and biological conservation through non-invasive research, community-based conservation, and public outreach and education.
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Over the summer, our SAVA Conservation team was deep in one of Madagascar's most remote rainforests, the COMATSA-Sud protected area, searching for one of the world's rarest and most endangered primates: the silky sifaka 💚
Every day requires hours of hiking through steep terrain, crossing rivers, and camping deep in the forest.
Why do we do it?
Because protecting species starts with understanding where they thrive and what threats they face. We found almost a dozen healthy groups of silky sifakas high in the mountains, giving us hope that the species is rebounding from the brink of extinction.
Some people call the silky sifaka the “ghosts of the forest.” We think of them as the "angels of the forest."
We're honored to help ensure future generations can still find sifakas in their wild homes. This work is possible through a collaboration with the local communities that protect the habitats where lemurs still thrive and the WWF, funded by the Madagascar Biodiversity Fund. Our lemur conservation projects are also funded by the Nashville Zoo and philanthropic gifts from our Lemur Center supporters.
We now have a unique opportunity: a generous supporter is offering $25k IF we can match it! Will you help us reach our goal of $50k for protecting and restoring lemur habitats? Learn more and donate at lemur.duke.edu/donate ✨
Let’s protect the lemurs in their wild homes together 🐒🌿
📸: Martin Braun
#MadagascarMonday #SilkySifaka #LemurConservation #Madagascar #CommunityLedConservation #PeopleAndNature #Biodiversity #PeopleAndNature #nature #wildlife ... See MoreSee Less
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Is there anything sweeter than a pair of sisters? 🥹💕
Much to one-year-old Leonor's delight, three-month-old Paloma has finally grown into the perfect partner in crime! The Duke Lemur Center's littlest mongoose lemur has transformed from a shy pair of eyes on mom's back into a pocket rocket. Paloma and Leonor love to wrestle, chase one another around their enclosure, and leap from swing to swing on their screened-in outdoor patio. After an energetic bout of play, the sisters will curl up on a sunny shelf with mom Bonita to enjoy fresh fruits and veggies from the DLC's organic garden 🥬
Stay tuned for future videos of their antics 👀
📸: David Haring ... See MoreSee Less
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Take a virtual field trip to the Duke Lemur Center this upcoming Wednesday (9/16) with Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants! 💙
exploringbytheseat.com/lessons/live-from-the-lemur-forest
Travel to the Duke Lemur Center in Durham, North Carolina, where lemurs can spend their summer days leaping, snacking, and snoozing in large forest habitats. Education Programs Manager Megan McGrath will take you on a virtual field trip into one of those forest habitats, so you can watch the lemurs while you learn all about them and their native Madagascar! 🤩
Visit the link above to register, and we'll post a direct link to the stream on our stories day-of ☀️
📸: Sara Nicholson ... See MoreSee Less
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Aye-ayes Aloka and Medusa peek out of their nest boxes to say hi 🫣
Just like humans, lemurs have lots of individual variation within a species! Aloka (photo 1) has a much lighter face and asymmetrical incisors, while Medusa (photo 2) has a very dark face and bright orange eyes. Staff members who work with the lemurs daily can learn to tell them apart just by looking at them!
Aye-ayes build impressive nests to sleep in—and this is also a very individual process! Some aye-ayes prefer to snuggle up in fleece blankets, while others chew and weave browse and branches together 🪹🌿
📸: Keeper Sarah K. ... See MoreSee Less
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Sierra Mist's three-month-old infant finally has a name... Meet Gimli! 📖
Like older siblings Eowyn and Merry, Gimli shares his name with a "Lord of the Rings" character: Gimli the dwarf was a member of the titular Fellowship of the Ring in J.R.R. Tolkien's novels. Gimli the ring-tailed lemur has grown into a boisterous, adventurous juvenile who loves to wrestle with his older siblings and pull on his dad's tail. His favorite enrichment activities include jumping in and out of a hanging sheet and tearing into forage bags to snack on tasty fruits and veggies 😋
Want to catch a glimpse of Gimli and his family? While this ring-tailed lemur troop is not visible on our general tour path, you can visit their enclosure on our premium Behind the Scenes tours, which run most afternoons from 1:30-3:30pm and continue into the off-season. Learn more at lemur.duke.edu/2022-bts-tour ✨
Scroll for a throwback photo of baby Gimli with mom Sierra Mist 🥹
📸: Abby Flyer (1); Sarah M. (2) ... See MoreSee Less
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Did you know that the most diverse population of lemurs outside of Madagascar sits just a couple of miles down the road from Duke University? 😱
➡️ lemur.duke.edu/visit
Until the end of September, you can book tickets to see the world's most endangered primates on our beautiful summer tour path! You'll see up to nine different lemur species snacking, snoozing, and enjoying the sun on our General Tours, which run every Friday evening from 5-7pm and Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am-noon this month. Tickets are $17/person, with discounts for seniors, military, kids, and Duke students/employees! 💙
Advanced reservations are required, so head over to our website to secure your spot! 🎟️
🎥: Abby Flyer ... See MoreSee Less
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Imagine being 12 years old and seeing a wild lemur for the first time 🤩
This year, our SAVA conservation team led students from remote rural communities on field trips to protected areas where they encountered lemurs, chameleons, the ocean, and thriving forests. For all of them, those experiences were a first.
Their excitement was unforgettable.
Even better, they returned home and shared their stories with parents, friends, and neighbors. The students led town hall meetings that inspired their communities in their commitment to conservation.
An entire community can be inspired when one child discovers the wonder of nature 💚
#MadagascarMonday #environmentaleducation #conservation #Madagascar #peopleandnature #biodiversity #LemurConservation #nature #forest #education ... See MoreSee Less
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Mongoose lemur mama Bonita snacks on a cucumber 🥒
At two months old, baby Paloma is starting to sample mom's food! Here, she gets a good lick of Bonita's cucumber... Yum! 😋
Did you know that we have individualized diet plans for each animal in our care—just under 250? While we order most of our veggies, we also have an organic garden on site and try to grow as much of the lemurs' diets as we can. Every day, the lemurs get a mixture of high- and low-value veggies, as well as a leafy green, such as kale or lettuce. We rotate foods throughout the week so that the lemurs get a nice variety of fresh produce 🥬
Remember, kids: Even lemurs eat their veggies! Sound up for chewing ASMR 🔊
🎥: Abby Flyer ... See MoreSee Less
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The many faces of Coquerel's sifaka Athena 😍
Nine-year-old Athena was born at the Houston Zoo and transferred to the DLC last summer. She lives with breeding partner Ferdinand, the son of the famous Jovian aka Zoboomafoo! This summer is Athena's first time free-ranging in one of our multi-acre forest enclosures, and she and Ferdinand have had a blast exploring all of the native plants and trees that Duke Forest has to offer 🌿
Which Athena mood are you today? Let us know in the comments!
📸: Sara Nicholson ... See MoreSee Less
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There's still a month left in tour season to plan your visit to the Duke Lemur Center! 🤩
➡️ lemur.duke.edu/visit
Looking for the perfect family-friendly lemur experience? There's still time to book a General Tour or Private Tour before our tour season ends the last weekend of September! General Tours follow an open house format, allowing guests to stroll the path at their own pace and chat with our amazing volunteer docents at each lemur enclosure, while Private Tours visit the same animals but with one dedicated tour guide just for you and your small group. Advanced reservations are required to see the lemurs, so book your tickets now on our website! ✨
📸: Abby Flyer (1,2); Leah H. (3); David Haring (4) ... See MoreSee Less
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