December 31, 2013 — We can say, without a doubt, that 2013 was a year of amazing growth and expansion for the Duke Lemur Center. DLC launched new programs and initiatives in Durham and in Madagascar and we saw lemurs reach our local community and the general public like never before. Here is short look at lemurs in 2013.
- Lemurpalooza – the 1st ever Lemurpalooza adopt-a-lemur event saw more than 200 people attend, and we were thrilled with RISE Donuts and Liv’s food truck participating to make the event special and exciting.
- Fish Farms – DLC harvested the first catch of fish from a demonstration fish farm project designed to offset need for lemurs as bushmeat, provide alternate income, and boost native freshwater fish populations. DukeENGAGE volunteers got involved for the first in Madagascar
- Expanded SAVA Conservation office – DLC announced that it had new offices for hosting visiting researchers in Sambava as part of our growing efforts in the SAVA region of Madagascar.
- New partnership with Duke Stores – Get your #lemurswag online and in the main Bryan Center University Store!
- Groundbreaking research – 2013 was a big year in research at DLC. Some popular studies: Scientists at Duke collaborated with the DLC on new sleep research through studying fat-tailed dwarf lemur hibernation. We also learned more about the cognitive abilities and social skills of ring-tailed lemurs – they use social cues to make better thieves! Our director collaborated on a study that discovered 2 new mouse lemur species. Scientists learned that mouse lemurs have personality, but we already knew that!
- Evening with the Experts – we launched the Evening with the Experts seminar series, bringing the experts at DLC for public talks on their field of interest. Every event sold out.
- Leaping Lemurs! Summer Science Camp – 40 6-8 grade students spent a week at the Lemur Center learning and doing science and conservation. Camp dates are already set for 2014!
- New plan to save lemurs – the IUCN Primate Specialist Group released a comprehensive 3- year strategic plan to save lemurs, finding that a little bit can go a long way to save lemurs in Madagascar. Erik Patel, SAVA Conservation project manager
- Community Partnerships – who could ever forget those pictures of lemurs and cupcakes as part of a partnership with Sugarlands cupcake shop to raise support for the DLC. The pictures even made the front page of Reddit! We also partnered with NOSH restaurant, Ninth Street Bakery, RISE Biscuits and Donuts and California Pizza Kitchen to raise funds and awareness for the Lemur Center!
We’re excited for all of the amazing things that are already planned for 2014, too! Many of our new events will continue, like Evening with the Experts and Lemurpalooza. And we couldn’t be more excited about our collaboration with IMAX/Warner Brothers for the April 4 release of ISLAND OF LEMURS: MADAGASCAR (narrated by Morgan Freeman!) and Scholastic to develop educational materials for schools and zoos. Look out for more exciting, fun events near you in relation to the film!
We owe much of our success to our fans, followers, and generous supporters who continuously give of their time to volunteer and share and their resources to keep all of this (and much, much more) going. The Duke Lemur Center is proud and humbled by the strength of your support. We could not do any of it without you. Happy New Year!
#Lemurloveforlife
Chris Smith serves as education specialist for the Duke Lemur Center. He completed his Masters degree in Environmental Management from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment in 2011. He also moonlights as Maky the dancing Lemur Center mascot.
