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Press Releases Research Watchdog Organization asks for access to NIRC lab; Calls for retirement of Chimps For Immediate Release New Iberia, LA – As the NIRC lab faces a Louisiana state ethics board
hearing, SAEN, a National Research Watchdog Organization, has requested
access to NIRC facilities and records while issuing a call for the
retirement of 138 chimps at the facility. Internal government documents obtained from the National Institutes of
Health reveal chimp deaths at NIRC from severe disease conditions
including meningitis and peritonitis. Additionally, many of the chimps at
NIRC have spent decades within the barren conditions of the laboratory –
costing taxpayers almost $1 million per year. “The NIRC facility is taking $894,422 in tax dollars to house roughly
140 chimps for one year,” said Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T., Executive
Director of SAEN. “The federal government has declared a moratorium on
breeding chimps. Why are we still spending millions of dollars simply
warehousing primates? These animals have served their time and should be
retired immediately.” In a letter to University of Louisiana, Lafayette President Dr. Ray
Authement, Mr. Budkie has requested access to all NIRC primate facilities
as well as copies of necropsy reports for all primates who have died at
NIRC for the last two years. Additional documents have been requested through the Freedom of
Information Act from the National Institutes of Health. “If the officials at NIRC have nothing to hide, then they should
provide access to their facilities and documentation,” added Budkie.
“Otherwise we must conclude that a cover-up is underway.” -30- See: Chimpanzees at New Iberia
Research Center
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