2007 PETA Infiltration
Following the infiltration of OHSU’s Oregon National Primate Research Center by an employee of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an inspection by the United States Department of Agriculture gave the center a clean bill of health. Additional details about the 2007 PETA infiltration and following inspection can be found below. This series of events was followed by an extensive request for records by the animal rights group.
The purpose of this Web page (and associated links) is to provide a full copy of the records in their context and allow the public to make their minds up for themselves. OHSU believes that these records demonstrate our extensive dedication to good animal care and our constant and significant attempts to continuously improve both the way we do research and the way we treat our animals.
PETA’S 2007 INFILTRATION OF THE ONPRC
In November 2007, the animal rights group PETA announced that one of its employees had infiltrated the Oregon National Primate Research Center. PETA also accused OHSU of abuse. Within the same month the United States Department of Agriculture, which enforces the Animal Welfare Act, conducted an inspection in response to PETA’s claims. That inspection resulted in OHSU getting a clean bill of health.
Despite the USDA’s inspection results, PETA recently expanded their Web claims about OHSU. In response, a grassroots research advocacy group Speaking of Research has written an extensive web post in response. The response includes video clips that directly conflict with the claims made by PeTA.
Video Clip
Video Clip PETA received as part of their records request
What is it?
The video shows a pair of young monkeys who live together in a paired cage. In the first part of the clip, one of the monkeys appears nervous. It is hunched over and rocking. Later in the video, both animals appear normal.
What does it show?
The video was shot by ONPRC's employees before PETA placed an infiltrator in the center. The video was shot by our behavioral sciences staff because one of the animals, named Cinder, was stress sensitive meaning that she appeared overly sensitive to changes in her surroundings. In this video she is reacting to the presence of the camera and caretakers in the room. Later, the video shows how she has adjusted over time. The video was filmed to better understand the problem and develop a plan to assist the animal. Today, Cinder is much less stress sensitive.
This existence of this video shows how OHSU’s primate center has dedicated staff who actively identify and assist animals in rare cases where they observe abnormal behavior. They do so by first observing the behavior, and then developing a plan to help the animal.
