The CNPRC houses approximately 5,500 monkeys for
research and breeding. The majority of these monkeys are rhesus monkeys (Macaca
mulatta), with small populations of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca
fascicularis), and South American titi monkeys (Callicebus cupreus).
Approximately 600 infants are born each year,
primarily in the spring. The center also houses an aged colony of about 130
monkeys, ranging in age up to 36 years. The CNPRC is focused on expanding its
colony of "specific pathogen free" or SPF monkeys, which currently
number around 1,140. SPF monkeys are bred to be free of several viruses that,
while harmless to monkeys, can have severe and sometimes fatal consequences if
contracted by humans.
Several staff veterinarians and many veterinary
residents and animal health technicians care for the center's monkeys as well
as provide research support. The animal care staff – about 100 individuals –
feeds the animals, cleans the cages, transfers animals when necessary and
monitors them for illness or unusual behaviors. In addition, a staff of
"enrichment" specialists is dedicated exclusively to promoting the
well-being of the animals in our care.
Proposals for research studies involving monkeys must
be reviewed and approved by several campus committees. These studies require
prior approval by the UC Davis Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which ensures that the project meets all federal
laws governing animal care and use. Projects are also reviewed internally by
the CNPRC Research Advisory Committee.
The CNPRC is a part of the UC Davis Animal Care
Program which is accredited by the Association for
Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), a private, nonprofit group that promotes the humane
treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation. UC Davis is
one of more than 770 research institutions and other organizations that have
earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating its commitment to responsible animal
care and use.
In addition, the CNPRC is
inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as required by the Animal
Welfare Act passed by Congress.
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