Following a two-month investigation, Duke Lemur Center officials believe that a natural toxin found in avocados resulted in the sudden deaths of four aye-ayes, according to a Duke Today release.
A natural toxin in the avocados that the animals ate the previous day caused damage to their heart muscles, which caused them to fall ill and die Oct. 25 and 26.
A fifth animal also became sick because of the avocados but is now recovering.
Avocado leaves, pits and skins have a toxin called persin that the plant produces to ward off the growth of fungus. Although not harmful to humans, persin has been known to cause problems for cattle, horses and goats.
In the past, avocados had been fed to the lemurs as a high-fat supplement. The aye-ayes had received parts of the fruit—possibly the pits and skins—the day before they died.
Lemur Center Operations Director Greg Dye said the Lemur Center's 230 rare and endangered animals will no longer be fed avocados.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.