The Duke Lemur Center in Durham is home to the world's largest and most diverse collection of lemurs outside of Madagascar. Formerly known as the Duke University Primate Center, The Duke Lemur Center was established to study these endangered animals, which are now the world's most threatened group of mammals. The Center houses, takes care of, and studies close to 250 individual animals, across 21 species, including lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers. Scientists study an array of disciplines from behavior and physiology to genomics and paleontology and focus intently on conservation biology and bridging the gap between the Center's living animals and the remaining species in Madagascar.


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1. Duke Lemur Center Mission & Tours

Duke Lemur Center Mission & Tours

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  • What educational programs does the Duke Lemur Center offer?
    • The Duke Lemur Center offers a range of educational programs, scholarships, and workshops.
    • These programs aim to educate, inspire, and encourage the public to take an interest in lemur conservation.
    • The Center also promotes a deeper appreciation of biodiversity and a better understanding of scientific discovery.
  • Can the Duke Lemur Center be visited?
    • Yes, but the Duke Lemur Center can only be visited by appointment.
    • It is necessary to book a guided tour in advance.
  • When are tours available?
    • Tours are conducted seven days a week.
    • They can be booked up to three weeks in advance for weekdays.
    • During the spring and summer months, weekend tours can be booked up to five weekends in advance.
  • What is the Lemurs Live! Tour?
    • Lemurs Live! is an ideal tour for families and friends.
    • The tour explores the similarities and differences between various lemur species.
    • It is designed for ages seven and up.
    • The tour highlights 10 different species of lemurs and offers an unforgettable lemur experience.
  • What is the Lemurs Live! Twilight Tour?
    • Lemurs Live! Twilight Tours take place during the cooler twilight hours.
    • This is when lemurs become more active and lively, engaging in foraging, playing, and performing their evening vocalizations.
    • This tour also offers an exclusive opportunity to see the rare and endangered aye-ayes in their natural habitat and under natural light conditions.

2. More Tours at The Duke Lemur Center

More Tours at The Duke Lemur Center

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  • What is the Walking with Lemurs tour?
    • Walking with Lemurs is an exciting 90-minute tour where visitors can walk freely among lemurs and interact with them in their natural habitat.
  • What does the Behind-the-Scenes Tour include?
    • The Behind-the-Scenes Tour gives visitors a close-up view of the lemurs.
    • Guests will see the Center as only staff members do and learn how it functions on a daily basis.
  • What is Lemur Keeper for a Day?
    • Lemur Keeper for a Day offers visitors the chance to experience the life of a lemur keeper first-hand.
    • Guests become a caretaker for a day and participate in feeding, cleaning, and general care of the lemurs.
  • What is the Painting with Lemurs tour?
    • The Painting with Lemurs Tour allows visitors to experience the Duke Lemur Center's behavioral enrichment program in a unique way.
    • Guests are taken into one of the Center’s new lemur housing areas to watch lemurs painting!
  • What is A Photographer's Dream tour?
    • A Photographer's Dream is one of the Center's most popular tours.
    • It provides a look at the Center and its individual residents through the eyes (or lens) of resident staff photographer, David Haring.
    • Participants spend a morning traveling through the Center's natural habitat enclosures taking photographs of multiple species of lemurs.
    • This tour is geared toward photographers interested in capturing lemurs exhibiting their natural behaviors such as climbing, foraging, grooming, and resting.

3. Educational Programs at The Duke Lemur Center

Educational Programs at The Duke Lemur Center

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  • What educational programs does the Duke Lemur Center offer?
    • The Duke Lemur Center offers a range of educational programs for learners of all ages.
  • What is Lemur Learning Labs?
    • Lemur Learning Labs presents an interactive, hands-on science experience.
    • Participants engage in various activities and lab exercises related to lemur research and conservation.
  • What is the Lemur Learning Homeschool Academy?
    • The Lemur Learning Homeschool Academy is a series of six study sessions designed for middle school-aged home-scholars.
    • Topics covered include:
      • Primatology
      • Conservation
      • Husbandry
      • Environmental stewardship
      • Training
      • Research
  • What is the Lemur S.C.O.U.T. program?
    • The Lemur S.C.O.U.T. program is designed for scouts and guides.
    • It helps participants deepen and enrich their understanding of lemur conservation.
  • What camps and workshops does the Duke Lemur Center offer?
    • The center offers a variety of camps and workshops throughout the year, including:
      • Leaping Lemurs! Track Out Science Camp – For grades three to eight.
      • Leaping Lemurs! Summer Science Camp – Open to all ages.
      • Leaping Lemurs! Play Wild Camp – Open to all ages.
      • Year-round Art and Writing Summer Camps.

4. The Duke Lemur Center: Plan Your Visit

The Duke Lemur Center: Plan Your Visit

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The Duke Lemur Center is located at 3705 Erwin Road in Durham and can be visited by appointment only. Guided Tours are conducted seven days a week and can be booked up to three weeks in advance. The Center has a gift shop which is open to the public every day and sells a variety of lemur and animal-inspired gifts, books, souvenirs and other items.

3705 Erwin Road, Durham, North Carolina 27705, Phone: 919-489-3364

Map:


Plan Your Trip


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