5 days ago
Alleged animal abuse at university farm: Stellenbosch students under investigation
Stellenbosch University (SU) is facing an investigation by the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) after Farmer's Weekly was alerted to the alleged inhumane treatment of animals at the SU's experimental farm.
Students allegedly 'sped up' taking of manure and urine samples
During trials conducted by students in SU's Department of Animal Sciences to test the nutritional uptake of feed, sheep were allegedly near-suffocated with plastic bags to force them to release their bowels.
Manure and urine samples needed to be collected for the tests, but rather than wait for the sheep to defecate naturally, it is alleged that students attempted to speed up the process. As it is common for animals to release their bowels moments before they die, the plastic bags were quickly removed after the animals defecated to prevent them from dying.
The report was made to Farmer's Weekly on condition of anonymity. It further stated that animals in the facilities had at times gone without water and food.
Whistleblower blames post-graduate students
The whistleblower said that all students that had to perform tests on animals were trained in the ethical treatment of animals.
'There are clear guidelines about how the animals must be treated. This includes ensuring that they have enough water and food, and that no animal may be pulled by their legs or ears. The students involved in the allegations are those that did not obtain their degrees at SU but are doing their post-graduate studies there. Perhaps other universities are not as strict on animal welfare,' they said.
NSPCA monitoring investigation
The NSPCA has since engaged directly with SU, escalating the matter to the university's Research Ethics Committee: Animal Care and Use. The university has initiated an internal investigation and disciplinary processes.
Jacques Peacock, communications manager at the NSPCA, said the council was monitoring the investigation.
'If the conduct is verified, it would raise serious animal welfare concerns.
'Forcing an animal to defecate or urinate through suffocation or near-suffocation is not an acceptable practice and could constitute an offence under the Animals Protection Act. Any research or testing involving animals in South Africa must comply with both national animal welfare legislation and research standards,' he said.
No animals in immediate danger – university
Martin Viljoen, media manager at SU, said that the matter was of grave concern to the university. He noted that the complaint was under investigation and that SU could not comment on what steps were being taken against the students involved.
'As a matter of urgency, the committee has established that no animals are currently in immediate danger,' he added.
'All students and researchers involved in the use of animals for scientific purposes are annually trained in ethics and integrity by relevant experts and committees. All animals are under strict veterinary supervision.'
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