The Duke Lemur Center’s final infants of 2021 are our smallest yet, gray mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus)! This year, four first-time moms gave birth to seven healthy infants: Tumbleweed, Cholla, Ocotillo, Indigo, Hydrangea, Speedwell, and Green Bean! Gray mouse lemurs are one of the world’s smallest primates. Infants weigh only three grams when they are […]
Around 30 million years ago, the Earth’s climate shifted from swampy to icy, and 63 percent of mammal species vanished from Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. A large collection of fossils housed at the Duke Lemur Center Division of Fossil Primates, representing the life’s work of the late Elwyn Simons of Duke, has enabled scientists […]
James Herrera, Program Coordinator, DLC-SAVA Conservation There has been tremendous interest in fuel-efficient cooking stoves, in Madagascar and among the Lemur Center supporter community. And for good reason: these stoves cut charcoal and firewood use by more than half, reduce household air pollution, and save on household budgets. By reducing fuel use, they help reduce […]
By David Fleming. Originally published by Virginia Tech on August 16, 2021. Read the original article HERE. In the jungles of Madagascar, the threatened sifaka lemur spends most of its days leaping from tree to tree, searching for leaves and fruit in a forest territory that is increasingly in peril. Halfway across the world, under […]
Founded in 2011, the DLC-SAVA Conservation project is dedicated to preserving the natural biodiversity of Madagascar—especially its charismatic lemurs—by empowering local communities to be conservation leaders. In doing so, we collaborate with Malagasy communities, researchers, organizations, and governmental institutions to promote environmental education, reforestation, sustainable agriculture, rainforest protection, family planning, and conservation-oriented lemur research. Filmed […]
Resilience through Regenerative Agriculture: SAVA Style The latest results on the DLC-CURSA Agroecology program, 2019-2021 By Ardhilles Andriantinefiarijaona, Anicet Elcar Ranaivoson, Nestorine Manantenasoa, Emilien Razafindrabozy, Rostella Christine, Esperio Jaozandry, Donatien Betalata, Nandrasana Judolin Raherison, and James Herrera. Published September 28, 2021. Since 2019, the DLC-SAVA Conservation program has been collaborating with the local university to […]
Building the Future: A New Era of Studying and Caring for Earth’s Most Endangered Mammals By Sally Bornbusch, Ph.D. and Sara Clark Published September 29, 2021 Read the full article with photographs in the DLC’s 2021 annual magazine This fall, the Duke Lemur Center celebrates a transformational moment in its 55-year legacy of studying and […]
The DLC-SAVA Conservation Mobile Interpretive Center: A new dimension in our Environmental Education Program By Evrard Benasoavina, Lanto Andrianandrasana and James Herrera Environmental education (EE) is a crucial component of conservation. Knowing about the environment and the important benefits we get from nature is a first step towards managing and preserving natural resources. At the […]