The Associated Press - ATLANTA

An Atlanta animal research center has paid a $15,000 fine after inspectors found animal care problems linked to the death of a macaque.

U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors documented the problems last year, following the animal's death at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center.

Yerkes officials denied any willful wrongdoing, but last week agreed to pay the penalty, said USDA spokeswoman Jessica Milteer on Monday.

A Yerkes spokeswoman noted the research center reported the animal's death, and said the center is committed to humane care for animals. "We deeply regret that an animal died," said the spokeswoman, Lisa Newbern.

Yerkes _ part of Emory University _ is one of eight federally funded national primate research centers. Its scientific contributions include new understanding of monkey and chimp behavior and development of an experimental AIDS vaccine.

It has about 3,400 primates and about 7,000 rodents at a 25-acre campus in Atlanta and a 117-acre field station in nearby Lawrenceville.

The fine stems from findings from two inspections. The USDA reported unsanitary conditions during a January inspection of the Lawrenceville field station. A July inspection confirmed inadequate training and veterinary care at the Atlanta campus, after the macaque died there.

The macaque _ a short-tailed monkey _ died from emphysema and from an absence of gas in the lungs, Newbern said. The death was related to incorrectly assembled anesthesia equipment, she added.

The equipment has been relabeled, staff has been retrained, and sanitary conditions at Lawrenceville have been improved, she added.

The fine is not enough, said Michael Budkie, executive director of Stop Animal Exploitation Now, an Ohio-based animal rights organization.

Yerkes received about $40 million in 2006 in federal animal research funds. "Why should Emory care about a $15,000 fine?" Budkie said.

See Facility Reports and Information: Emory University