Opposition to Otago’s new $50m animal research facility is continuing to grow

The University of Otago currently do animal-based research in the top story of the Hercus building in Dunedin central. They are now building a new $50 million animal lab at a different location to replace this.

Concerned organisations, and a growing number of members of the public, oppose this plan. The New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society (NZAVS) are leading the ‘Stop the Otago Animal Lab’ campaign and have organised a protest outside the Hercus building this morning at 11.00 am. They are inviting supporters to come down and join their peaceful protest.

“Animal testing is a very hidden practise, especially at the University of Otago. We aren’t even able to look in through the windows as they are blacked out. It isn’t labelled as an animal lab so many people are completely unaware of what it going on here,” Said NZAVS Executive Director Tara Jackson.

“We are gathering together to inform people about what is going on inside this building. We expect them to be outraged, outraged that this is happening and that the university are investing $50 million on this outdated and cruel practise by building a new animal lab”, added Miss Jackson.

NZAVS and their supporters are asking for the University of Otago to move away from animal-based research and for the new $50million animal lab to be changed to a non-animal based/human-based research facility instead.

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