Animals Used in NZ for Science in 2015

Animals Used in NZ for Science in 2015

An overview of the animals used in NZ for research, testing and teaching purposes in 2015.

TOTAL NUMBER OF ANIMALS USED: 225,310

THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS WHO DIED: 88,200

Purposes

Animals were used in the following ways in 2015:

  • Basic biological research: 63,222
  • Veterinary research: 47,125
  • Teaching: 29,410
  • Animal husbandry research: 20,268
  • Medical research: 26,291
  • Testing: 19,191
  • Environmental management research: 14,195
  • Species conservation: 3,336
  • Other: 256
  • Production of biological agents: 2,016
  • Development of alternatives: 0

Types of Animals

The following animals were used in 2015:

  • Amphibia: 1,368
  • Birds: 15,627
  • Cats: 519
  • Cattle: 59,330
  • Cephalopods/crustaceans: 2,200
  • Deer: 8,497
  • Dogs: 812
  • Fish: 40,764
  • Goats: 2,052
  • Guinea pigs: 1,967
  • Horses/donkeys: 283
  • Marine mammals: 403
  • Mice: 48,341
  • Pigs: 738
  • Possums: 2,977
  • Rabbits: 1,494
  • Rats: 9,387
  • Reptiles: 4,473
  • Sheep: 23,474
  • Misc. species: 604

Organisation Type

The following types of organisations used animals in 2015:

  • Universities: 69,170
  • Commercial organisations: 96,221
  • Crown Research Institutes: 34,585
  • Other (commercial medical research, individuals etc.): 16,367
  • Government departments: 2,847
  • Polytechnics: 4,956
  • Schools: 1,164

Source: 

MPI report for 2015.

NAEAC report for 2015.

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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