Total number of animals used: 254,063

A total of 254,453 animals used in research, testing and teaching were reported in 2016, that's 29,143 more than the previous year. This was a 12.9% increase. 

A more accurate representation of the number of animals used for RTT in NZ is the average number of animals used over a three year period, which is 263,350 animals. 

The number of animals who died: 62,401

Types of Animals

The following animals were used in 2016:

• Amphibia: 593
• Birds: 9,716
• Cats: 926
• Cattle: 104,338
• Cephalopods/crustaceans: 4,815 
• Deer: 7,688
• Dogs: 1,304
• Fish: 19,632
• Goats: 4,400
• Guinea pigs: 1,900 
• Horses/donkeys: 924
• Marine mammals: 2,974
• Mice: 34,013
• Pigs: 533
• Possums: 1,169
• Rabbits: 1,225
• Rats: 8,770
• Reptiles: 1,235
• Sheep: 47,548
• Misc. species: 360

Organisation Type

The following types of organisations used animals in 2016:

• Universities: 50,411
• Commercial organisations: 115,654
• Crown Research Institutes: 63,848
• Other (commercial medical research, individuals etc.): 7,683  
• Government departments: 3,973 
• Polytechnics: 9,152
• Schools: 3,342