texas

Texas Research Facility Fined for Deaths of Primates

Federal inspectors say a South Texas research facility where 13 primates died of hyperthermia in overheated rooms violated the Animal Welfare Act and has been fined.

Covance Research Products in Alice was fined $31,500 for four violations of the federal act following the 2014 deaths of the cynomolgus monkeys, a type of macaque often used in medical research.

Two animals died when a thermostat malfunctioned at the facility about 40 miles west of Corpus Christi. A similar incident occurred about a month later when a thermostat override switch failed, killing 11.

Inspectors further found that at least five other primates suffered that year when they weren't given water or proper care after being flown into Texas for Covance experiments.

The company didn't immediately respond Friday to a request for comment.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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