Animals Used in NZ for Science in 2016

An overview of the animals used in NZ for research, testing and teaching purposes in 2016.
July 10, 2018

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
References

With your help we can end animal experimentation in Aotearoa.