Los Angeles Times - August 23, 2004
Amelia Neufeld, Times Staff Writer

A UC Davis medical research building was shut down Monday after six research monkeys were found dead from severe dehydration due to a heater malfunction in their holding room over the weekend, campus officials said.

Two lab technicians from the California National Primate Research Center discovered the bodies of six female cynomolgus monkeys at 8:30 a.m. Saturday while doing a routine check at the facility, which was used as an overflow building to accommodate the center's monkey breeding colony, said UC Davis spokesman Andy Fell. The temperature in the holding room was 115 degrees at the time.

Upon entering that room in the facility that morning, the technicians were hit with a blast of hot air, said Dallas Hyde, the center's director. The monkeys, which were last checked at 5 p.m. Friday, were lying spread out in their cage.

"They did have access to water," Hyde said. "Yet the cages were hot to the touch, so I can envision the water being hot ... the water spigot was hot as well, which probably discouraged them from drinking."

A veterinarian arrived 10 minutes later and determined that two of the eight monkeys were still alive. They were moved to the main primate center where all the rooms are environmentally monitored with temperature sensors and alarms. They were given fluids intravenously. One monkey recovered fully, but the second had to be euthanized, Hyde said.

The overflow facility, which is about four miles from the main research center, is a five-room, cinderblock building with no windows and one door, Hyde said. It will no longer be used to house animals.

"We just felt we can't ever allow this to happen again," Hyde said. "We will not be using the facility ever again. We really do care deeply for the animals."

The California National Primate Research Center gets its funding primarily from the National Institute of Health. It houses about 4,700 monkeys. About half of the animals are used for HIV/AIDS research, according to the center's website. Scientists also use the monkeys to conduct research into measles, asthma and Alzheimer's disease.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture made an unannounced inspection of the facility two weeks ago and determined it satisfactory, Hyde said. The USDA routinely makes unannounced inspections, especially if there are complaints made about the facility, he said.

"The primate center does very well as a facility," Hyde said. "We have had no citations, a perfect record."

In February 2003, an adolescent monkey disappeared from the facility, likely having washed down a drain while its cage was being cleaned.

The animals ranged in age from 5 to 8 years and weighed between 4 and 4 1/2 pounds. Their carcasses were frozen until they could be disposed of at an off-site incinerator.

"It's really sad that the animals had to die like this," Fell said. "From a practical point of view, you need the animals to be content and well looked after to successful breeding and experiments."

040823
LT040815

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2004. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .