Total number of animals used: 254,063
A total of 254,453 animals used in research, testing and teaching were reported in 2016, that's 29,143 more than the previous year. This was a 12.9% increase.
A more accurate representation of the number of animals used for RTT in NZ is the average number of animals used over a three year period, which is 263,350 animals.
The number of animals who died: 62,401
Types of Animals
The following animals were used in 2016:
- Amphibia: 593
- Birds: 9,716
- Cats: 926
- Cattle: 104,338
- Cephalopods/crustaceans: 4,815
- Deer: 7,688
- Dogs: 1,304
- Fish: 19,632
- Goats: 4,400
- Guinea pigs: 1,900
- Horses/donkeys: 924
- Marine mammals: 2,974
- Mice: 34,013
- Pigs: 533
- Possums: 1,169
- Rabbits: 1,225
- Rats: 8,770
- Reptiles: 1,235
- Sheep: 47,548
- Misc. species: 360
Organisation Type
The following types of organisations used animals in 2016:
- Universities: 50,411
- Commercial organisations: 115,654
- Crown Research Institutes: 63,848
- Other (commercial medical research, individuals etc.): 7,683
- Government departments: 3,973
- Polytechnics: 9,152
- Schools: 3,342
Source:
The amended animal usage statistics for 2016 can be found in the MPI report for 2017.
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.
