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Defending Animals Used in Forced Swim Test at Victoria University

Defending Animals Used in Forced Swim Test at Victoria University

Together, we stood united to protest Victoria University's use of the Forced Swim Test.

September 7, 2019

Over ten thousand people, including students have asked Victoria University to stop using the cruel and invalid Forced Swim Test, yet they’re choosing not to listen. ‍

The Forced Swim Test involves forcing small animals such as rats or mice to swim in an inescapable beaker of water until they ‘give up’ and float. The test reportedly attempts to mimic depression or hopelessness in humans.

Today NZAVS, SAFE, Speak Up for Animals NZ, HUHANZ, PETA Australia and over 80 people stood united to protest Victoria University's use of the Forced Swim Test.

We stood directly outside the University's main campus in Wellington with placards and banners. We were there to send a clear message to decision-makers:

"It's time to change ... Don't be embarrassed that you've done something wrong in the past, look to the future and look at what is right for the animals and for science and that is banning this awful test."

Thank you to everyone who joined us today to defend animals used in "science."

It’s time for Victoria University to listen to its students and the wider community and commit to ending this cruel, wasteful, and unscientific test on animals.

Read the stuff article about this here and view photos of the event here.

Why Expose Otago University?

Learn more about why we are exposing animal experiments that have taken place at the University of Otago.

Otago Exposed References

Access the references for the animal experiments we exposed during our special 12 Days of Christmas Otago exposé.

Day 1 - Otago Exposed

Baby rats were force fed alcohol in a cruel experiment at Otago Uni.

Day 2 - Otago Exposed

Rats brains were damaged and pierced with electrodes.

Day 3 - Otago Exposed

Living bees were sliced open and electrocuted.

Day 4 - Otago Exposed

Rats were subject to loud noises and electrocuted.

Day 5 - Otago Exposed

Guinea pigs were forced to swim in the notorious Morris water maze test.

Day 6 - Otago Exposed

Mother rats were given injections to try and hinder the brain development of their babies, who were then experimented on.

Day 7 - Otago Exposed

Young mice were forced to experience chronic stress for two weeks.

Day 8 -Otago Exposed

Rabbits had holes drilled into their jaws.

Day 9 - Otago Exposed

Guinea pigs had their heads drilled into and were given hypothermia.

Day 10 - Otago Exposed

Rats had their legs surgically damaged and were forced to walk on a rotating drum.

Day 11 - Otago Exposed

Sheep had around 30% of their blood drained from their bodies.

Day 12 - Update

What we have achieved together and our next steps!

With your help we can end animal experimentation in Aotearoa.

Donate to NZAVS