Animals Used in NZ for Science in 2013

Animals Used in NZ for Science in 2013

An overview of the animals used in NZ for research, testing and teaching purposes in 2013.

TOTAL NUMBER OF ANIMALS USED: 224,048

THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS WHO DIED: 80,657

Purposes

Animals were used in the following ways in 2013:

  • Basic biological research: 52,373
  • Veterinary research: 43,584
  • Testing: 30,674
  • Animal husbandry research: 20,203
  • Production of biological agents: 17,616
  • Environmental management research: 17,302
  • Medical research: 16,698
  • Teaching: 14,959
  • Species conservation: 8,796
  • Other: 1,843
  • Development of alternatives: 0

Types of Animals

The following animals were used in 2013:

  • Amphibia: 238
  • Birds: 25,685
  • Cats: 676
  • Cattle: 52,193
  • Cephalopods/crustaceans: 5,485
  • Deer: 2,316
  • Dogs: 1,437
  • Fish: 24,354
  • Goats: 581
  • Guinea pigs: 2,209
  • Horses/donkeys: 272
  • Marine mammals: 927
  • Mice: 45,018
  • Pigs: 236
  • Possums: 2,626
  • Rabbits: 1386
  • Rats: 10,806
  • Reptiles: 991
  • Sheep: 46,218
  • Misc. species: 394

Organisation Type

The following types of organisations used animals in 2013:

  • Universities: 53,260
  • Commercial organisations: 102,273
  • Crown Research Institutes: 51,097
  • Polytechnics: 4,364
  • Government departments: 5,656
  • Other (commercial medical research, individuals etc.): 6,182
  • Schools: 1,216

Source:

NAEAC report for 2013.

Find out more about the animal manipulation forms (for example the definitions of the different purposes) here: Animal Use Statistics – Guidance for Completing Statistical Returns.

 


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