Posted on January 26, 2026.
On November 20, 2025, the Duke Lemur Center’s veterinary team made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize Coquerel’s sifaka Rupert after weeks of declining health. Rupert, who lived his entire life at the Duke Lemur Center, was just shy of his 16th birthday—an exemplary age for a species whose lifespan averages just over 10 years in human care.
12-year-old Rupert basks in the sun with one of his offspring. Photo by Sara Nicholson.
Rupert was born on December 15, 2009, to dam Antonia and sire Otho. Prior to Rupert’s birth, Antonia had begun participating in the DLC’s brand new voluntary infant removal training, with the goal to minimize stress to the dam during routine infant weighings by allowing Antonia to actively participate in her own welfare. In exchange for a favorite treat like a peanut, Antonia would sit calmly and allow DLC staff to remove the infant from her belly, weigh him, and return him.
These routine weighings enabled the DLC’s animal care staff to swiftly determine that baby Rupert was not gaining weight as quickly as he should have been. With Antonia’s voluntary participation, the veterinarians were able to remove Rupert from his mother daily for oral antibiotics. “Rupert never missed a day of medication and was calmly returned to Antonia each day,” explains Meg Dye, DLC Curator of Behavioral Management and Welfare. Rupert was the very first infant voluntarily removed from his dam, which proved crucial to providing life-saving care for the sickly baby.
In the years since Antonia and Rupert’s success, dozens of lemur infants have been voluntarily removed and carefully returned to their mothers after wellness exams and routine weighings, minimizing stress for both moms and babies for over a decade.
Infant Rupert clings to a plushie during a weighing. Photo by David Haring.
Infant Rupert with dam Antonia. “He looked so much like his mom,” says Colony Curator Britt Keith. “It was hard not to think of Antonia when glancing at Rupert.” Photo by David Haring.
At four years old, a newly mature Rupert was introduced to Gisela, a two-year-old female and daughter of Jovian, the famous Coquerel’s sifaka who played Zoboomafoo on the eponymous TV show. Rupert lived the rest of his long life with Gisela, siring six offspring and contributing enormously to the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for this critically endangered species.
“Rupert was always a ‘family guy,’ protecting his offspring and his mate,” says DLC Colony Curator Britt Keith. “He was a tender father and a great playmate, especially with his sons.”
Newly-paired couple Rupert (age 4, left) and Gisela (age 2, right). Photo by David Haring.
Rupert, age 7 (right) grooms mate Gisela, age 5 (left) after the birth of their second offspring. Photo by David Haring.
In the final year of his life, Rupert became a grandfather when one of his daughters, Cassia, gave birth to her first infant, a son named Radama the Great. Cassia is now participating in the very same voluntary infant removal training that Rupert helped pioneer.
“Rupert was a staple for me in the sifaka population. It is taking some time to adjust to the fact that he is no longer with us,” adds Britt. “What a splendid animal.”
12-year-old Rupert with juvenile son Silas. “He was a lovable goofball that enjoyed playing with his sons,” comments Bracy, one of the husbandry technicians who cared for Rupert and his family. Photo by Sara Nicholson.
Six-year-old Rupert snacks enthusiastically in his forest enclosure. Photo by David Haring.
Rest in peace and climb the trees of your ancestors, Rupert. We miss you dearly. Photo by David Haring.
