After 5 monkey deaths, USDA issues warning to UL's New Iberia research center
After five monkeys died at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette's New Iberia Research Center, an official warning was issued by U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The warning was issued Jan. 14 citing the center for violating a federal law that deals with housing facilities. The law states housing facilities must have reliable power for heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting as well as running potable water for drinking.
The warning said the violation occurred on Aug. 26, the same date the university reported five monkey deaths to the National Institutes of Health.
A federal inspection report by the USDA stated that five infant rhesus macaque, a type of monkey, died or were euthanized due to dehydration on July 19 and 20.
UL said in a statement the USDA conducted a thorough investigation and concluded that "all mitigating measures" implemented were satisfactory.
"The USDA concluded with only a warning, electing not to pursue any penalties or other sanctions relative to this incident," university spokesperson Eric Maron said in a statement.
"UL Lafayette and its staff members are diligent in the care provided to animals at the New Iberia Research Center. The center follows rules and guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other agencies."
Maron said in a statement a water pressure regulator malfunctioned causing an intermittent reduction in water pressure to an animal room. The research center has since enhanced its pressure monitoring and implemented daily manual checks and records of water pressure.
Six infant rhesus macaques suffered dehydration and were immediately treated by the attending veterinarian, reads the statement. Two died, and three were later euthanized when they did not respond to treatment; one fully recovered.
More: Groups make claims against UL Lafayette's New Iberia Research Center after primate deaths
Multiple animal advocacy groups condemned the deaths. PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said the warning issued last month "won't undo the trauma endured by the monkeys" and that it filed a complaint with the National Institutes of Health.
"UL-Lafayette should redirect its resources toward modern, non-animal research methodology that will actually help humans, and we urge officials there to adopt PETA’s Research Modernization Deal," the group said in a statement.
"This will benefit animals—who are sentient and deserve to live free from suffering inflicted by humans—and promote public health and safety, since monkeys can carry pathogens that pose a risk to humans."
More: Animal activist group raises concerns after monkeys die at UL's New Iberia site
The New Iberia Research Center is the nation’s largest academically affiliated, nonhuman primate research center. NIRC is home to more than 8,500 nonhuman primates, according to the university.
The center has recently been noted for the role it played in the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the first fully tested COVID-19 immunization approved for emergency use.
The center has received federal fines in the past, including one for $100,000 in 2017 to settle six complaints about its lab, according to the Associated Press. The university did not admit any wrongdoing at the center under the settlement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Contact Ashley White at adwhite@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @AshleyyDi.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: USDA issues warning after monkey deaths at New Iberia research center
