Inventory of Monkeys Used by the Primate Center From the Center’s Henry Vilas Zoo Colony: Statement by Graduate School Dean Virginia S. Hinshaw

(To better follow this issue, view the first statement from Hinshaw regarding the Primate Center policy.)

“An inventory conducted August 11-12, 1997 by officials from the Wisconsin Regional Primate Center indicates that Primate Center monkeys housed in the UW facility at Henry Vilas Park Zoo were used in invasive research projects. This represents a serious breach of the 1989 local agreement between directors of the center and the zoo.

“According to the June 19, 1989 agreement, no invasive studies were to be performed on animals housed at the zoo. While federal regulations for research were strictly followed by the center, the assignment of monkeys from the Vilas facility to some research projects did not adhere to that agreement.

“I want to reiterate my instructions to the center’s leadership on Monday, Aug. 11, that no monkeys housed in the Vilas facility will be assigned to invasive research projects. No such assignments have been made in 1997, and none will be made in the future.

“The records of animals assigned from the zoo to the center since 1989 show:

• A total of 65 monkeys were used in invasive research studies, and 39 of those monkeys died or were euthanized as a result of the research. The remaining 26 monkeys are still part of research projects at the center.
• An additional 26 monkeys were euthanized and used in a tissue distribution program at the center from 1990 to 1996. The goal of the program was to provide researchers with normal tissues important for many internal and external biomedical research projects. That program was discontinued in June 1996.

“The decisions made regarding these animals were improper, given the guidelines in the 1989 policy statement. The administration of Vilas Park Zoo should have been consulted about these decisions. I regret that this activity has cast doubt on a facility that is important to the community. I should emphasize that none of the monkeys currently housed at the Vilas facility have been used in invasive research experiments. I also want to make it clear that, in the past, monkeys from the Vilas facility have been sold as a colony management practice, primarily to prevent overpopulation. From 1989 to 1995, 110 monkeys were sold to other facilities, such as research universities, companies and an NIH research center. However, no animals have been sold since 1995.

“I would also like to address concerns about the future of the center’s monkey colony housed at the zoo. The center’s lease at the zoo is expected to expire in 2003, and we are currently working to find a long-term home that is best for the welfare of the animals and are committed to supporting the animals financially. But there is no quick resolution to this issue and finding an appropriate arrangement for the colony may take several years.

“It is clear that the animal assignment process at the center regarding these specific monkeys failed. This process will be corrected. We are currently conducting a search for a new director of the center, and we look forward to working with that individual to strengthen our excellent research programs and promote public confidence in the center.