583 total primates died at UC Davis during the 2002 – 2003 reporting
period. However to examine these deaths in any systematic way they must
be subdivided into more meaningful sub-categories. 147 of these deaths
involved stillbirths, neonatal deaths, or deaths of primates whose lives
totaled only a few days or months. 123 adult primates died of natural
causes or were euthanized for medical reasons. 318 primates were killed
during experimentation, and/or necropsied per experimental protocol.
However, before more detailed examinations are begun there is a much
more basic question that must be addressed. The annual report filed by
the California Primate Research Center listed the deaths of 258 primates
from either experimental or natural causes. However, this same report
discusses performing necropsies (post-mortems) on 560 primates.
Additionally, when we obtained documents from the California Primate
Research Center (CPRC) for deaths of center animals we received records
for the deaths of 583 primates. And the disagreements go much further.
The records provided to SAEN by the CPRC covered the deaths of 123
adults from non-experimental causes, and 318 adults from experimental
causes (or necropsied per experimental protocol). If operating under the
assumption that only adults were counted, even these numbers don’t
correspond to the statistics reported by the CPRC. Apparently, CPRC
staff are mathematically impaired, or dishonest.
Experimental Deaths
318 primates at the CPRC are listed as experimental deaths/necropsied
per experimental protocol. 19% (60 were either inanated or severely
thin); 17% (29) were listed as dehydrated. 36% (115) suffered from
lymphadenopathy and 25% (79) suffered from splenomegaly. 17% (54)
suffered from gastrointestinal tract diseases. Other disease conditions
in this population of primates included: pneumonia, meningitis,
jaundice, endometriosis and lung mites. Again, it is very clear that
these animals have been allowed to progress to an unacceptably severe
endpoint for the pathological conditions which brought about their
deaths.
Infant Primate Deaths
During the reporting period for this examination there were 142
infant/neonatal deaths at the CPRC. This contrasts with 646 total
births. This computes to a 22% infant mortality rate. Additionally, in
the older cases of infant deaths (non-stillbirth/non-fetal) over half
were suffering from inanition (severe weight loss) or dehydration (26 of
47/25 of 47). These symptoms are indicative of serious conditions that
have progressed to a catastrophic conclusion. In other words, these
animals were allowed to suffer needlessly because their conditions
progressed to an unnecessarily severe ending. Apparently either their
decline was totally unnoticed, or their conditions were ignored until
they were found dead.
Deaths from Natural Causes/Medical Cull
During the reporting period 123 adult primates died of natural causes
or were euthanized for humane reasons. 37% (46) had reached an advanced
state of inanition (serious weight loss) 32% (39) were severely
dehydrated. Again, this indicates that disease conditions are being
allowed to progress much too far without adequate veterinary
intervention. Many of these animals are listed simply as “found dead in
cage” with no clinical history. In other words, they were seriously ill
without receiving any veterinary care. A 3-year and 9-month old primate
was necropsied on 1/15/03. This unfortunate animal has lost 40% of her
body weight in a period of 22 days. Another primate was necropsied on
8/27/02. She had lost 34% of her body weight in a period of weeks. A
third primate was necropsied on 8/6/02. He had lost 42% of his body
weight in a period of less than one month. Clearly these animals are
being neglected up to the point of death.
Other serious conditions existed in this population of animals at
CPRC. 38% (47) of these animals were suffering from gastro-intestinal
tract disease. Fully 13 of these primates had suffered serious physical
trauma. One primate is listed as being found dead in cage after surgery
(clear negligence and lack of observation). Other serious disease
conditions in this primate population included: pneumonia, peritonitis,
lung mites, bloat, and endometriosis.
