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Dr. Robert Gibbens Director, Western Region, USDA7 infant primates die at UC Davis' primate research center
From
Ellen Caminiti, TheAggie.org, August 16, 2019
Some believe negligence is to blame
Seven infant primates died while under the watch of scientists at the
California National Primate Research Center. Dedicated to improving the
health of both animals and people, The California National Primate Research
Center is located on the outskirts of the UC Davis Campus, between West
Village and Putah Creek.
"The center carries out research that benefits human health, for example on
HIV/AIDs, Zika virus and other infectious disease, respiratory disease,
reproductive health, Alzheimer's disease and aging," said Andy Fell, a
spokesperson for the primate center.
The animals died due to a suspected cause of negligence in 2018. However,
this news was not announced until just last month.
The university said the infant primates died from an allergic reaction to
dye passed on to them by their mothers, but Michael Budkie of Stop Animal
Exploitation NOW says this is not likely.
"It seems to me that UC Davis is attempting a cover-up," Budkie wrote in a
complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
According to federal documents, the baby primates died from untreated sepsis
and bronchopneumonia. There is no evidence of veterinary care given to these
animals, according to Budkie.
"The records indicate that five of the infant monkeys likely had an
anaphylactic reaction. But the other two had severe infections. Things like
this do not develop overnight. UC Davis clearly failed to provide adequate
veterinary care and their negligence in that regard killed two of these
infants," Budkie said.
Fell said animals at the center receive "the utmost care."
In an attempt to improve this animal rights issue, SAEN filed a complaint
with the USDA asking for a $10,000 fine to be imposed on The California
National Primate Research Center for the death of each primate.