The CNPRC houses about 4,500 monkeys, mostly rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). This species is widespread in Asia, especially in India where they are often found in urban areas, and in China. They can adapt to a wide range of climates. The vast majority of the monkeys at UC Davis are [...]
Since most biomedical research on human diseases cannot be conducted on humans for ethical reasons, animals are essential for understanding disease processes and for testing the safety and efficacy of therapies. When studying human diseases, monkeys provide one of the best animal models. Humans and monkeys bear a close genetic relationship, reflected [...]
The CNPRC is a national resource and provides opportunities for research to investigators around the U.S. The CNPRC has 18 core scientists, who hold joint appointments with various departments at UC Davis. The center also hosts around 70 affiliate scientists from UC Davis and other institutions, who work with core [...]
Animal research occurs alongside other types of studies, including human clinical and epidemiological research, as well as alternatives to whole live animal research such as cell cultures and computer simulations. In fact, consideration of viable alternatives to research with live animals is a basic ethical principle that undergirds the conduct [...]
Rhesus monkeys, one of the most common species used in biomedical research, share about 93 percent of their genes with humans. They are also widely used because they breed well in captivity. Rhesus monkeys offer many advantages because of their close similarity to humans. Nonhuman primates, including rhesus monkeys, are [...]
The vast majority of the monkeys are bred on site. The Center occasionally acquires a small number of monkeys each year from other primate breeding facilities. No monkeys are obtained from wild populations.
About two-thirds of the Center’s approximately 5,000 monkeys live outdoors. Monkeys are provided the best of veterinary care and living conditions. They are housed either in half-acre field corrals or conical-shaped “corncribs.” Outdoor enclosures contain swings, jungle gyms and shelters for the monkeys, as well as supplemental heat during the winter [...]
In the wild, a rhesus macaque's life span is up to about 18 years of age. At the CNPRC, with excellent nutrition and medical care, these animals can live up to 38 years of age. Some geriatric animals are housed in the outdoor corrals with family members of all ages in the rich social [...]
In the wild, rhesus monkeys thrive on fruits, seeds, roots, herbs and insects. In captivity, monkeys primarily eat monkey chow, and an array of fresh, seasonal fruit, vegetables and nuts once to twice a week to provide them with variety and to supplement their diet (photo below). Outdoor monkeys also forage [...]
SPF means “specific pathogen free.” SPF monkeys are free of specified infectious agents, including herpes B virus, type D retrovirus, simian immunodeficiency virus (the monkey form of HIV) and simian T-lymphotropic virus. Not only can these pathogens interfere with research results, monkeys carrying them pose risks to researchers and animal [...]
The CNPRC is a research facility and is not open to the general public. This is because humans may carry diseases that can be extremely dangerous to the monkeys. Diseases carried by both humans and monkeys may also be fatal if contracted by the other species. All CNPRC employees are [...]
Research at the CNPRC is focused into four primary areas: Behavior and neuroscience Infectious diseases and immunology Reproduction and regenerative medicine Respiratory biology and disease AIDS research is one area of infectious disease research and includes studies related to pediatric AIDS, vaccine development, and mechanisms of virus transmission. Other infectious [...]
All research is conducted humanely under strict compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, which governs laboratory animals are housing, care and use in investigational studies, and according to IACUC review and approved protocols. The law requires that any procedures causing more than slight or momentary discomfort be performed using appropriate [...]
Proposals for research studies involving monkeys must be reviewed and approved 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 [...]
Throughout its 53-year history the CNPRC has been a leader in quality animal care and is continually making advancements in the care and well-being of captive primates. Its outstanding animal care program has been recognized by OLAW and AAALAC, both organizations with high standards for animal facilities. The CNPRC was inspected [...]
The center has multiple security measures in place to keep the monkeys safe. All housing facilities are monitored daily to ensure that the animals are secure. UC Davis reported one event to the USDA in 2011 where some monkeys exited their outdoor enclosure but due to multiple security measures, all [...]
Infectious diseases that are studied at the CNPRC are carefully controlled and all personnel are appropriately trained to ensure containment of biohazards. PPE (personal protective equipment) is worn at all times when around the animals, to ensure protection for the humans and animals. Humans carry infectious viruses and bacteria that can [...]