OU president orders review of baboon breeding facility

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A scientist involved with a baboon breeding facility in El Reno says University of Oklahoma president David Boren has ordered an internal review of the program after several deaths of young baboons at the facility.

Some activities at the Fort Reno Science Park, in operation since 2001, have drawn criticism from animal rights groups.

Inspection records maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service show that OU has been cited numerous times in recent years for not complying with the federal Animal Welfare Act, the Oklahoman reported (http://bit.ly/1eLCFgz ). One recent case involved university staff members who euthanized dogs by attaching a battery to the animals' hearts.

James Tomasek, a spokesman for the program, said university officials will evaluate several topics, including development of a new research plan at OU's Health Sciences Center and an assessment to see whether the program is sustainable financially, especially with "declining or uncertain federal research funding."

"The president recognizes the public interest in the baboon program and wants to ensure that OU maintains a compliant program," he said.

Even though the facility is funded with public money, university officials have been slow to provide information to the newspaper about the baboon program, such as copies of its budget for the past five years, a list of universities or other entities that have acquired baboons from OU and population figures. The university also refused to provide a tour of the facility, claiming it would traumatize the animals, but provided photos of the site.

The long-running program received grants from the National Institutes for Health totaling $1,260,949 during the recently ended fiscal year, and it's received similar funding for nearly 20 years.

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Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com