Natural history and captive management of the Aye‐aye Daubentonia madagascariensis: at the Duke University Primate Center, Durham

Abstract

The Aye‐aye Daubentonia rnadagascariensis is an endangered primate indigenous to Madagascar. Originally identified as a type of squirrel and only recognized as a primate in 1800, it was not until 1992 that successful breeding in captivity occurred. This paper summarizes the morphology, natural history, captive history and captive management of the species. Since 1987 the Aye‐aye has been kept at Duke University Primate Center, the first birth there from a captive mating occurred in 1992. The original 2.2 animals were maintained on local photoperiod but, in 1992, with the arrival of 1.3 wild‐caught Aye‐aye and because there had been no successful breeding to date, a Madagascar photoperiod was instituted. Between 1992 and 1994 five young, of which four were reared, were born at the Center. Because of the animals' selective eating of favoured food items the diet offered had to be amended to include a gruel to reduce the chances of the recurrence of the protein and vitamidmineral deficiency observed in an 11‐month‐old infant.