Update: Restrictions No Longer Apply
Effective August 27, 2025
We’re happy to report that the dam, her infant, and the rest of the family group are stable and that the presence of service dogs* on General Tours are no longer a concern.
In accordance with the DLC’s accessibility guidelines, guests who will be accompanied by a service dog* on a General Tour must let the staff at Lemur Landing know when making the reservation. Please be aware that, like all novel objects, the presence of a service dog may affect lemur behavior.
In addition, for the health and safety of the lemurs, we cannot accommodate service dogs in all areas/on all types of tours. Please see each specific tour’s information page for details, or if you have questions, please contact us at (919) 401-7240 or primate@duke.edu.
*According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a service dog is “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.” Therapy dogs, emotional support dogs and companion dogs are not service animals as defined by the ADA. Because the DLC houses endangered primates, we cannot allow pets onsite.
Temporary Restriction of Service Dogs
Effective May 20, 2025
Until at least mid-June, we regret that we cannot allow service dogs onsite at the DLC. This is for the safety of a critically endangered infant whose dam behaves aggressively, occasionally toward the infant, when she is stressed.
We generally do allow service dogs on the general tour path, but the ADA provides exemptions to its service dog requirements and the DLC must temporarily avail itself of those exemptions. (See Q26 on this page of the ADA website.)
Lemurs are natural prey animals, and even if your dog does not appear threatening, or is in a different part of the Center, the presence of a carnivore will cause the lemurs to become agitated. Alarm calls are carried from one species to another, and the shared stress causes some individuals—including this infant’s mother—to behave aggressively toward their family group. This could result in the injury or death of the infant.
We understand your need to have your animal with you. However, it is our duty to protect the health and safety of our lemurs. In this instance, allowing service dogs would prohibit us from doing so.
If you need special accommodations due to this policy, please contact us in advance (primate@duke.edu) and we will see what other options may be available to aid your visit. Thank you for your understanding.
