Young Primate Freezes to Death at Southwest Foundation; USDA Issues Citations

Press Release
From Stop Animal Exploitation NOW!
S. A. E. N.
"Exposing the truth to wipe out animal experimentation"


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 21, 2010
Contact: Michael Budkie, SAEN, 513-575-5517; 513-703-9865 (cell)

Attn: News Desk

Young Primate Freezes to Death at Southwest Foundation; USDA Issues Citations

SAN ANTIONIO, TX – Recently obtained federal reports reveal major violations of the Animal Welfare Act within the labs of the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SWFBR), according to the national research watchdog group SAEN (Stop Animal Exploitation NOW www.saennonline.org ).

The recent violations come from a February 28, 2010 USDA inspection report. This document cites SWFBR for an incident in which a young rhesus monkey was exposed to sub-freezing temperatures and developed hypothermia. The dying animal was not discovered until the following morning and was euthanized. SWFBR was cited for improper housing of animals in this incident.

Other recent inspection reports have seen the lab cited for improper functioning of the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee, inadequate housing of primates, insufficient environmental enhancement for primates, and inadequate cleaning/sanitation. One major concern focused on primates exhibiting stereotypical behavior, a clear sign of severe stress.

“Negligence at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research has unnecessarily taken the life of a young primate,” said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive Director, SAEN. “This lab should face serious consequences, but the USDA has a history of allowing labs to literally get away with murder.”

SWFBR was previously cited for beginning a post-mortem dissection of a primate who was not yet dead.

According to SAEN 29 USDA inspected labs have now killed 100 animals through negligence within less than two years. However, only one of these negligent facilities has experienced any consequences.

The labs include: Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, North Carolina State University, Western University of Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Cornell Medical School (NY), Virginia Tech, University of Washington, Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU), Stanford (CA), Joliet Junior College (IL), Dartmouth (NH), Lovelace Research Institute (NM), Charles River Labs (MA/NV), University of California (San Francisco & Santa Barbara), University of Wisconsin (Madison), Sewanee (TN), University of Connecticut, University of Minnesota, Globe University (MN), and Vanderbilt (TN).

SAEN has requested an investigation of the USDA’s inadequate enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by the Office of General Counsel.

The USDA inspection reports are available upon request from SAEN.

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See Also:
Monkey's Death at Southwest Foundation Alarms Animal Activists - 21 Apr 2010
Monkey's death raises ire of animal group - 21 Apr 2010
SW Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, TX

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