The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which regulates animal research in the US, has found animal welfare lapses at the New Iberia Research Centre.

The Humane Society carried out an undercover investigation of the centre, which is run by the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, and filed a complaint to the USDA, according to a statement . The Humane Society investigator claimed to have recorded videos of animal handlers allowing sedated primates to fall to the ground, and video of animals with open wounds.

The USDA confirmed that a March inspection found “evidence of several issues with the facility’s compliance with Animal Welfare Act (AWA) standards” and problems with “review and approval of research protocols.” This included a number of African Green Monkeys whose tails had been amputated due to trauma or frostbite, reports The Scientist, in part because their enclosure was inadequately heated.

Violators of the Animal Welfare Act can get warning letters, fines or lose their licenses. In this case, the USDA is working with the centre administrators to improve animal care standards. A follow-up visit in late April found that most of the issues identified on the USDA’s March visit had been addressed.

Previous coverage on The Great Beyond: Primate mistreatment allegations at Louisiana research lab – March 05, 2009