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Duke Lemur Center

2 days ago

The aye-aye, a nocturnal lemur known for its distinctive tap-foraging technique, has become the unlikely muse for cutting-edge engineering research 🔍

➡️ lemur.duke.edu/researcher-ehsan

Dr. Ehsan Dehghan-Niri has been studying aye-ayes to unlock insights that could revolutionize non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies used to inspect aging infrastructure like pipelines and aircraft composites. NDT is a technique for evaluating the structural integrity of a component or product without impairing its functionality. NDT enables the inspection of machines and structures that are currently in use by allowing for routine maintenance and safety assurance over time without disrupting their service 🔧

Inspired by the aye-aye’s percussive foraging, Ehsan’s research uses biomimicry, simulation tools, and behavioral studies—learning from biology to innovate technology—to advance acoustic-based NDT techniques. “This is the value of looking at nature for engineering," says Ehsan. "The aye-aye’s tapping system has evolved and been optimized over tens of millions of years. It would be very difficult, if not impossible, for us to design a system like this from scratch in our lifetime."

Read more about Ehsan's research on our website or in the most recent edition of our magazine! ✨ ... See MoreSee Less

Duke Lemur Center

3 days ago

Happy 24th birthday to the incredibly distinguished Gratian 🥳

Coquerel's sifaka Gratian was born on this day in 2002 to parents Drusilla and Nigel. All four of Gratian's grandparents were wild caught in Madagascar, making him a very genetically valuable member of the genetic safety net for his species. He has sired eight offspring, two of whom currently live at the DLC (son Thrax and daughter Pax), and is actually a great-grandfather! Gratian is currently the oldest Coquerel's sifaka in the DLC colony. He is instantly recognizable by his underbite and pale yellow eyes 💛

Along with two current photos of Gratian free-ranging in his natural habitat enclosure, please enjoy these throwback pics of baby Gratian clinging to mom Drusilla and seven-year-old Gratian striking a pose 🕺

📸: David Haring ... See MoreSee Less

Duke Lemur Center

6 days ago

Mongoose lemurs Murray and Fernanda are enjoying the warm weather this weekend 😎

Nine-year-old Murray and three-year-old Fernanda are one of the newer breeding pairs at the DLC. Murray was born at the Sacramento Zoo, while Fernanda was born at Lemur Conservation Foundation, and both of them transferred to the DLC in spring 2025 to help contribute to the genetic safety net of this critically endangered species. This young couple enjoys cuddling up on a shelf, solving puzzle feeders, and finger painting together—though Murray usually does most of the art! 🎨

📸: David Haring ... See MoreSee Less

Duke Lemur Center is with The Kratt Brothers.

7 days ago

Happy birthday to the late, great Jovian, the Coquerel's sifaka who played the titular Zoboomafoo on the beloved TV show 💙

➡️ lemur.duke.edu/zoboomafoo-effect

Few animals have inspired children and conservationists alike as profoundly as Jovian, the Coquerel’s sifaka who brought primate conservation into living rooms around the world as the star of the children’s television show Zoboomafoo. Born in 1994 at the Duke Lemur Center, Jovian’s charm and playful energy captivated audiences and made him an enduring symbol for Earth’s most endangered mammals 🌍

“His level of education to the world, the way he made people aware of what interesting animals Coquerel’s sifakas are—this rare, critically endangered species from Madagascar,” says Britt Keith, longtime DLC colony curator and Jovian’s primary keeper. “People didn’t know much about lemurs, certainly not the rarer species like the sifakas. Jovian brought that awareness.”

“We wanted kids around the world to know how great lemurs are and to get involved in protecting them,” says Martin Kratt, co-creator of the show. 27 years later, Zoboomafoo remains a testament to how storytelling, education, and a single lemur can change the world for the better.

Read more about the "Zoboomafoo Effect" on our website or in the most recent edition of our magazine, including a Q&A with Martin Kratt ✨

📸: Courtesy of the Kratt Brothers Company (1,6); David Haring (2-5) ... See MoreSee Less

Duke Lemur Center

1 week ago

This week, ring-tailed lemur Randy received some very special fan mail (and a belated birthday card) from some of his youngest adopters! 📬

Through our Adopt a Lemur program, a group of teachers adopted Randy as a mascot for their preschool class. The class learns about Randy and ring-tailed lemurs, makes their own versions of lemur paintings, and incorporates a plush version of Randy into classroom activities and lessons. They were generous enough to make and send Christmas and birthday cards for Randy, so we decided to let Randy and his family investigate the gift! We're so happy that lemurs like Randy can help teach kids about conservation and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and animal lovers 💚

Want to symbolically adopt Randy (or another lemur)? You'll receive quarterly updates on their life here at the DLC, along with an adorable plush version of your adoptee to cuddle at home! Learn more and support the care and conservation of the world's most endangered mammals at lemur.duke.edu/adopt ✨

📸: Abby Flyer ... See MoreSee Less

Duke Lemur Center

1 week ago

Cassia's boys continue to grow! 🤩

The DLC's youngest Coquerel's sifaka, Cassia's male infant, is now two months old and getting cuter by the day! Meanwhile, big brother Radama the Great turned one year old on Easter Sunday. Cassia and Eustace's two sons are the great-grandsons of Jovian aka Zoboomafoo, making this family lemur royalty 🥳

➡️ lemur.duke.edu/adopt/ultimate/cassia-infant

Looking to be a part of Zoboomafoo's legacy and make a lasting impact on the care and conservation of this critically endangered species? For a tax-deductible donation of $20,000, you can symbolically adopt and NAME Cassia's infant! Sifaka infants born at the DLC typically receive ancient Roman names... and if you get stuck, the keepers who care for the family are happy to provide suggestions that match this little lemur's emerging personality. Visit our website to learn more at lemur.duke.edu/ultimate or email us at adoptalemur@duke.edu 💙

📸: Keeper Sarah K. (infant); David Haring (Radama the Great) ... See MoreSee Less

Duke Lemur Center

1 week ago

Y'all had some great guesses at identifying the lemur species from these 18th- and 19th-century artistic interpretations... here are the answers! 🎨

1: Jacques de Seve, 1783: male mongoose lemur
2: Lorenz Oken, 1843: aye-aye
3: Guerin-Meneville, 1833-1839: indri
4: Edward Griffith, 1821: black and white ruffed lemur
5: Johann Christian Daniel Schreber, 1795: gray mouse lemur (in the words of one commenter, a "not so micro" Microcebus)
6: Charles Catton, 1788: ring-tailed lemur (everyone got this!!!)
7: Edward Griffith, 1821: red ruffed lemur
8: George Edwards, mid-18th century: female mongoose lemur (one of the earliest depictions of the mongoose lemur—or, as its caption says, "The Mongooz")

Which artists nailed it, and which ones could benefit from some reference photos? Let us know in the comments! 😂 ... See MoreSee Less

Duke Lemur Center

2 weeks ago

Can you guess the lemur species from these 18th- and 19th-century artistic interpretations? 😱

These pictures were taken from "Lemurs of Madagascar" by Mittermeier et al., the official tome for all things lemur. While we have plenty of reference photos of lemurs nowadays, artists used to have to rely on descriptions and sketches from scientists and other observers to imagine these fantastical creatures. Some of these lemur illustrations look a lot more like Dr. Seuss creations than the primates we know and love!

🎨: Jacques de Seve, 1783 (1); Lorenz Oken, 1843 (2); Guerin-Meneville, 1833-1839 (3); Edward Griffith, 1821 (4); Johann Christian Daniel Schreber, 1795 (5); Charles Catton, 1788 (6); Edward Griffith, 1821 (7); George Edwards, mid-18th century (8) ... See MoreSee Less

Duke Lemur Center

2 weeks ago

Happy birthday to beautiful mongoose lemur Carolina! 🥳

Carolina (caro-LEE-nah, not like the state!) turns 16 today! This lovely lady was born at the DLC in 2010 to parents Maddie and Pedro. She has been a valuable contributor to the Species Survival Plan (SSP) of this critically endangered species, raising three successful offspring and becoming a grandmother last year when daughter Bonita gave birth to baby Leonor. Carolina's youngest son, Nacho, even moved to Berlin to expand the mongoose lemur SSP into Europe! Carolina now resides with new breeding partner Rico, though the pair have yet to add to Carolina's family tree. Carolina loves fruit and will be getting plenty of tasty birthday snacks today to celebrate 🍓

📸: Sara Nicholson (1,4); Sarah M. (2); David Haring (3,5-7) ... See MoreSee Less