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Press Releases Research Watchdog Releases “Inside Report” on Primate Center; Demands Tour of Lab & Inspection of Records FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ATTN: Assignment Desk Atlanta, GA - A national research watchdog organization has announced
the release of an internal government report from the Yerkes Primate
Research Center (YPRC), which reveals the deaths of 428 primates (12%) in
one year. “All is not well at the Yerkes Primate Research Center,” said Michael
A. Budkie, A.H.T., SAEN’s Executive Director. “This facility has a high
death rate, and there are clear indications of severe stress in the
primate population.” SAEN is releasing the recently-obtained YPRC Annual Progress Report, a
306 page government document filed annually with the National Institutes
of Health. Copies are available upon request. Key Statistics from the report: Ø 428 primate deaths in one year Ø 57% of primates housed in isolation (potential cause of severe mental
pathologies) Ø 10% of non-experimental deaths resulted from fighting/trauma Ø YPRC is connected to over $132 million per year in federal funding
for primate experiments Ø Common primate diseases at YPRC included Enteritis/Collitis and
Campylobacteriosis (potentially stress induced) “The information contained in this report clearly indicates that
primates at YPRC are highly stressed, chronically ill animals,” added
Budkie. “This year-long data discloses troubling long-term patterns, and
must be addressed.” Potential causes of the severe stress in YPRC primates include
experiments which subject primates to electric shock, separation of
infants from mothers and addictive drugs. YPRC Director, Stuart Zola, Ph.D., has been contacted to request a tour
of the center’s facilities “It’s time for the Primate Center to either put up or shut up,” added
Budkie. “If they have nothing to hide, then a tour should be no problem.”
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