AAVS News
November 19, 2024
NIH finally agrees to release Alamogordo Chimps to Sanctuary
A Real Home!
NIH Will Move Chimps from Lab to Sanctuary
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced that it will transfer all of the remaining 23 chimpanzees currently languishing at the Alamogordo Primate Facility in New Mexico to the Chimp Haven sanctuary in Louisiana. This is big news because, in 2019, the NIH classified these chimps as moribund and refused to relocate them, claiming it would compromise their health. AAVS joined other animal protection organizations in challenging that decision, since transporting chimps—even those with serious health problems—has been done successfully for decades.
Now, the agency says that, because over half of the animals’ longtime caregivers, who are employed by the contractor, Charles River Laboratories, will be retiring soon, it’s in the best interest of the chimpanzees to be under the care of Chimp Haven.
“We have always strongly believed that sanctuary is the best place for retired chimpanzees to live out their lives and are thrilled these chimps will finally have their opportunity to come to Chimp Haven, where they’ll receive expert care and an incredible retirement designed just for them—they’ve earned it,” said Rana Smith, President and CEO of Chimp Haven.
Home to 300 chimpanzees, the majority of whom were previously used in NIH-funded research, Chimp Haven has the expertise to meet the special needs of its residents.
In addition, the CHIMP Act, a federal law which AAVS was instrumental in getting passed in 2000, requires the NIH to retire chimpanzees no longer being used in research to sanctuary. That point was the subject of a lawsuit led by the Humane Society of the U.S., and, although a federal judge agreed in 2022 that the NIH should follow the law, she declined to force the agency to pursue a specific solution.
In the intervening years, much occurred to come to this moment. In a 2018 letter to then-NIH Director Francis Collins, AAVS President Sue Leary commented, “The benefits of sanctuary are clear and chimpanzees deserve the chance to leave research facilities and be delivered to the care of people whose commitment, competence, and resourcefulness is evident.”
Last week, Sue visited Chimp Haven and reinforced AAVS’s commitment to helping them prepare for this milestone transition. Stay tuned as the Alamogordo chimps experience moving from the troubling environment of a research facility to their new, wonderful sanctuary home.
Other News
Mice Bear the Brunt of Research
Huge numbers of mice are used in experiments causing physical and psychological stress and suffering, as detailed in a recent article that draws on the experiences of scientists. “Scientists expose lab mice to starvation, pain, physical harm, and death. … Tails are snipped, holes are punched in ears, and toes are severed.” The article also points to “very promising alternatives” including on-a-chip systems and computer simulation.
EPA Releases Report to Reduce Animal Testing
As part of the agency’s NAMs Work Plan to reduce animal testing, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reviewed legal and regulatory requirements that impact the use of animals in safety testing of chemicals. The EPA strategy for “increasing the rigor and sophistication of Agency assessments” calls for expanded use of NAMs (New Approach Methods) and reduction in the use of animal testing. The report concludes that “with flexible regulatory statutes, EPA can successfully incorporate NAMs data” in a variety of applications.
Sanctuary Moment
There’s Still Time to Help BUILD IT!
There’s still time to be a part of our 2024 BUILD IT! giving campaign. Your gift will help ensure that the chimpanzees at Save the Chimps will continue to receive the best care possible through urgent upgrades, renovations, and new construction, including a state-of-the-art medical clinic that will better meet the unique health needs of the chimpanzees, especially as they age.
You can help BUILD IT! Thanks to the generosity of anonymous AAVS supporters, all donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar when you mail your donation by December 16.
We’ve been grateful for the response to our BUILD IT! campaign so far. If you’ve already donated—thank you! If you haven’t, there’s still time to get your gift matched to double your impact!