One of the hallmarks of the Lemur Center’s research program is that it is non-invasive: We never allow research that hurts an animal or causes undue stress. But what does non-invasive research look like, and how can we use it to learn more about lemurs here and in Madagascar? In this video, we dive into […]
Duke Lemur Center recreates the seasonal swings of native habitat, helping to unlock the secrets of hibernation. By Robin Smith, Ph.D. Originally published in DukeTODAY on March 12, 2021. DURHAM, N.C. — If you binged on high-calorie snacks and then spent the winter crashed on the couch in a months-long food coma, you’d likely wake […]
At the Duke Lemur Center, an innovative plan to keep the animals social late in life: pair them with lemurs of another species. By Sabrina Imbler. Originally published in the New York Times on February 14, 2021. Over the course of her 32 years, Cheyenne the red-bellied lemur has had many soul mates. Her first […]
Brain imaging reveals that not all monogamous mammals are “wired for love” in the same way. By Robin A. Smith, Ph.D. Originally published in DukeTODAY on February 12, 2021. DURHAM, N.C. — Humans aren’t the only mammals that form long-term bonds with a single, special mate — some bats, wolves, beavers, foxes and other animals […]
What happens when a geriatric lemur loses its mate? At the Duke Lemur Center, the staff tries to re-pair them with a new mate, even if it is from a different species! Some species are so rare, it can be difficult to find a compatible new companion of the same species. If a solitary animal […]
UPDATE: Thank you! Thank you for making #GivingTuesday a record-breaking success! On December 1, we shared with you an urgent need to replace and upgrade an essential piece of veterinary equipment: our X-ray system. Our existing X-ray machine was rapidly nearing the end of its long lifetime of service to the DLC’s lemurs and could […]
By Casey Farmer I planned to be in Madagascar for three months of summer 2020, volunteering and being trained in field methods to study lemurs. When the pandemic hit and it was no longer safe to travel, my program was cancelled. But I refused to let this reality dictate my life as a budding lemur […]
Dear Friends, I hope this letter finds you and your families safe and healthy. I am writing to let you know that all of the Duke Lemur Center’s (DLC) animals and staff remain healthy as we enter our seventh week of modified operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are so fortunate to have such […]
