Duke University Lemur Center, Durham

Some 233 lemurs have traveled from the island of Madagascar to call the Duke Lemur Center in Durham home. Here, at one of the world’s largest sanctuaries for rare and endangered prosimian primates, they find protection and able tennis partners in their caretakers. The Lemur Center looks to promote research and understanding of these interesting creatures—ancient relatives of monkeys, apes, and humans—while further sustaining global biodiversity.

Not ones to keep these creatures all to themselves, the scientists at the Duke Lemur Center offer an array of tours that let visitors get up close. During Lemurs Live!, a knowledgeable guide introduces them to about 10 different species and explains what makes them some of the most interesting animals on the planet.