113 research chimps to be sent to La. sanctuary
NEW ORLEANS More than 100 chimps from a south Louisiana laboratory that was found to have multiple violations and lost its National Institutes of Health contract will be sent to an animal sanctuary.
A sanctuary for retired federal research chimpanzees will get 113 chimps from a University of Louisiana-Lafayette lab. It will nearly double Chimp Haven's population. Chimp Haven is located in Keithville, La.
Chillaxin' chimps: 17 research apes enjoy their golden years
NIH originally planned to send 10 to the Shreveport-area sanctuary and the rest elsewhere.
Officials say several groups now are raising money and donating to the expansion of Chimp Haven. As of November 2011, the facility had 132 chimps, many of which had chronic health issues from years of biomedical research. Some were infected with HIV, polio and malaria.
About half the chimps can move within months, but new enclosures must be built for the rest. The Humane Society of the United States is giving $500,000 for the expansion.
In 2009, the society said its investigation found 338 federal violations at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette lab that now has the chimpanzees. The university did not renew its NIH contract.
Popular in Health
- Consumer Reports 2013 sunscreen ratings: Which is tops?
- Surgeons remove 4-pound hairball from tiger 10 Photos
- Skin cancer self-exam: What to look for (PHOTOS)
- How to get in shape for your wedding
- Teens guiltiest of underestimating calories in fast food
- Drinking sugary drinks daily linked to kidney stones
- Cause of Alabama mystery illness cluster determined
- Heartburn raises throat cancer risk but antacids may help
People can give all reasons and excuses they want but it all comes down to doing something as this to any living animal that has no rights or voice. Humans do, ask them if they want research done on them if not then let those who do it do it to their own self.