Animals Used in NZ for Science in 2012

An overview of the animals used in NZ for research, testing and teaching purposes in 2012.
November 30, 2016

TOTAL NUMBER OF ANIMALS USED: 302,193

THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS WHO DIED: 88,995

PURPOSES

Animals were used in the following ways in 2012:

  • Veterinary Research: 103,171
  • Basic biological research: 71,053
  • Animal husbandry research: 37,348
  • Medical research: 28,258
  • Testing: 22,823
  • Teaching: 18,889
  • Environmental management research: 6,268
  • Production of biological agents: 5,704
  • Species conservation: 5,670
  • Development of alternatives: 1,641
  • Other: 1,139

TYPES OF ANIMALS

The following animals were used in 2012:

  • Amphibia: 2,021
  • Birds: 14,638
  • Cats: 695
  • Cattle: 124,582
  • Cephalopods/crustaceans: 4,288
  • Deer: 3,927
  • Dogs: 915
  • Fish: 28,044
  • Goats: 1,568
  • Guinea pigs: 2,090
  • Horses/donkeys: 758
  • Marine mammals: 783
  • Mice: 55,870
  • Pigs: 264
  • Possums: 5,570
  • Rabbits: 1,519
  • Rats: 10,523
  • Reptiles: 5,349
  • Sheep: 38,544
  • Misc. species: 245

ORGANISATION TYPE

The following types of organisations used animals in 2012:

  • Universities: 80,303
  • Commercial organisations: 149,095
  • Crown Research Institutes: 45,213
  • Polytechnics: 5,658
  • Government Departments: 195
  • Other (commercial medical research, individuals etc.): 18,723
  • Schools: 2,777
References

With your help we can end animal experimentation in Aotearoa.