Here’s a roundup of this week’s biggest news stories related to animal research — all the recent media coverage you need to know right now to be the most effective activist for animals in labs.
43 Monkeys Escape Hell Only to Be Dragged Back One by One
Rise for Animals, 11/37/2024
Dozens of monkeys took a chance at freedom from Alpha Genesis. Their escape sheds light on a series of tragic truths. These young, brave beings ran from a facility known for fatal neglect and awful conditions — here, read their story and why it matters. 📰 Full Story →
Frail Chimps Headed from New Mexico to Louisiana Sanctuary
Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 11/8/2024
“A group of former research chimpanzees in New Mexico that were previously deemed too frail or sickly to be moved to a federal sanctuary will be going to that retirement home after all.”
“The chimps’ presence at Alamogordo Primate Facility has been controversial for years, with groups . . . questioning the NIH’s determination in 2019 that all of these chimps were too elderly or unhealthy to survive the stress of moving to a 200-acre sanctuary called Chimp Haven near Shreveport, Louisiana.”
“‘Earlier this year, Chimp Haven proactively developed architectural plans for expansion in case additional NIH chimpanzees became eligible to transfer to the sanctuary,’….” and “‘anticipate[s] the expansion will cost a minimum of $4 million, which we’ll need to raise from private supporters since NIH does not support construction costs.” 📰 Full Story →
Will We Ever See an End to Animal Testing?
David Bardsley, The National, 11/8/2024
“Animal testing remains widespread, but the long history of campaigning against it has made some inroads, with some sectors pioneering alternative methods and scientists highlighting its shortcomings.” 📰 Full Story →
Campaigners Made Another Attempt to Ban Animal Testing in Switzerland
SWI, 11/11/2024
“Swiss politicians once again have to deal with the question of whether animal testing should be banned. The popular initiative ‘Yes to an animal-free future’ has been submitted in Bern” with “127,622 signatures”.
“The new initiative wants to write a ban on animal experiments into the constitution and also prohibit the breeding of laboratory animals and the trade in animals for animal experiments. However, the committee has abandoned two other demands from the initiative that were rejected in 2022: a ban on experiments on humans and a ban on the import of goods tested on animals.” 📰 Full Story →
Freedom for Escaped Monkeys Sparks Debate on Animal Rights
Trinity Sparke, OneGreenPlanet, 11/13/2024
“Recently, 43 rhesus macaques managed to escape from the Alpha Genesis facility in Yemassee, South Carolina . . . This event stirs both moral and legal questions about animal captivity and freedom.”
“Escapes like that of these monkeys capture public fascination, partly because they symbolize an animal’s bid for freedom against overwhelming odds. The Alpha Genesis macaques’ escape is more than just a legal issue; it also challenges society’s relationship with captive animals.” 📰 Full Story →
OHSU Paused Live-Pig Training for OB/GYN Residents After ‘Many’ Opted Out
Nick Budnick, The Lund Report, 11/12/2024
“A years-long push by animal rights activists to halt the use of live pigs in medical training might be making headway at Oregon Health & Science University.”
“{PETA] released public records showing that as of April 16, 2024, the university’s obstetrics and gynecology residency training program would not conduct its ‘pig lab’ this year, ‘due to decreased enthusiasm from the Chief resident class.’”
“Activists have been showing up at university board meetings holding protest signs while dressed as pigs wearing bloody smocks, and billboards have also echoed the message. The release of records, which accompanied a letter sent by PETA to the university signed by 175 physicians, may be the first clear sign that the campaign is having an effect.” 📰 Full Story →
‘Serious Risks’: Researchers Join Push Against Importing Monkeys for Drug Testing
Sharif Hassan, The Canadian Press, 11/13/2024
“Dozens of researchers across Canada, including renowned environmentalist David Suzuki, have joined a growing chorus of voices urging the federal government to halt the importation of an endangered monkey species for medical research….”
“A letter signed by 80 scientists, academics, doctors and students says testing on long-tailed macaques from Cambodia should be banned due to ethical concerns and potential public-health risks.”
“It’s the latest group to add more pressure on Ottawa to suspend the monkey imports by Charles River Laboratories, a U.S.-based pharmaceutical giant that has a sprawling facility in Montreal.” 📰 Full Story →
Species Spotlight: Cats
Rise for Animals, 11/14/2024
Did you know the average cat could outrun Usain Bolt? We’ve compiled some of the most fascinating cat facts everyone should know! (Also, we went a little wild with cat memes…) 📰 Full Story →