The Duke Primate Center had reason to celebrate Saturday as it marked 30 years in the business of protecting and researching some endangered species.
The center was trying to raise money for expansion and improvement during the Saturday celebration. With names like Jane Goodall and June Lockhart on the guest list, the center didn't have any trouble attracting supporters even with $100 to $250 admission prices.
Director Ken Glander says a tour of the center is a rare walk through pre-history.
Listen toaufile. (Glander refers to the lemur pictured at right.)
The center needs money for improvements because it was recently cited for violations of the Animal Welfare Act, and lost two rare lemurs to cold weather earlier this year. Primate authority Jane Goodall says sometimes such losses will occur, even with the best of care.
Listen toaufile.
Providing care for the endangered primates is quite an expensive endeavor. Glander says yearly costs exceed $800,000. He hopes the money raised Saturday will help them approach that goal.
Besides admission, there were other ways to contribute. Actress June Lockhart decided to spend a little extra to "adopt" her own lemur.
Listen toaufile.
The Duke Primate Center is promoting such adoptions for Mothers' Day. The cost ranges from $50 to $250 and money goes toward food and shelter improvements. For that price, a supporter receives a photograph of the animal, a letter describing it and a complimentary tour of the center.
Some of the lemurs will be returning to their native land of Madagascar next year. Study of the primates will continue there.
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
