Fertile female scent enrichment boosts sexual behaviour in zoo ruffed lemurs

Zoo-housed ruffed lemurs responded to a new scent enrichment made from the odour of a fertile female, with sexual behaviours increasing significantly and two females becoming unexpectedly pregnant after the study, according to a peer-reviewed study published in BMC Zoology on 25 September 2026.

Researchers led by Emily Elwell and Stefano Vaglio set out to develop a biologically relevant scent enrichment based on female fertile odours, aiming to improve welfare and breeding success in captive ruffed lemurs (Varecia spp.). Zoos contribute to lemur conservation through ex situ breeding programmes, but mismatches between captive and wild environments can reduce breeding success, which motivated the search for enrichment that reflects natural chemical signals.

To build the enrichment, the team analysed anogenital odour secretions from a female red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra). Using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, together with simultaneous choice bioassays, they identified 12 volatile compounds that distinguished the fertile chemical profile from other odour profiles.

The resulting scent enrichment was presented to four zoo-housed groups of red ruffed lemurs and black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata). The researchers assessed its effects by combining behavioural observations with faecal endocrinology, measuring cortisol and testosterone in the animals’ droppings.

The effects on welfare were mixed, the authors report. Sexual behaviours, however, increased significantly, and mounting was triggered in males. Two females became unexpectedly pregnant following the study. Faecal testosterone concentration increased, but not significantly.

The authors argue that the newly designed scent enrichment has the potential to improve conservation breeding practices and success in zoo-housed ruffed lemurs. The study was published as an open-access article, and the version shared at publication is subject to further edits before the final Version of Record appears.

Subject of Research: Scent enrichment derived from fertile female odours and its effects on captive ruffed lemur behaviour and breeding

Article Title: The scent of love: unlocking the power of fertile odour to boost ruffed lemur conservation

Article References: Elwell, E., Young, C., Kaburu, S., Palframan, M., & Vaglio, S. (2026). The scent of love: unlocking the power of fertile odour to boost ruffed lemur conservation. BMC Zoology. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40850-026-00287-x

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s40850-026-00287-x

Keywords: ruffed lemurs, scent enrichment, chemical communication, conservation breeding, zoo welfare, volatile compounds, faecal endocrinology, testosterone, cortisol, Varecia, scent, love