Watchdog Group Files Complaint Against OU Over Baboon Deaths

The national research watchdog group Stop Animal Exploitation Now (SAEN), is asking the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to investigate the University of Oklahoma after documenting a number of deaths of young baboons at the university in 2014 and 2015.

In a letter to Dr. Elizabeth Goldentyer of the USDA APHIS regional office, SAEN listed 23 incidents of deaths to infant and young baboons that they say shows a pattern of neglect.

7/2/2015 Related Story: Baboons Bred In Oklahoma As Resource For Research

Many of the documented fatal incidents involved violent encounters between the baboons. Others died as a result of starvation and poor veterinary monitoring, according to SAEN Research Analyst, Stacey Ellison.

The investigation could result in maximum of $10,000 fine per infraction against the university.

SAEN is a nonprofit group that monitors animal research laboratories in the US.