AIIMS to probe condition of animals

The move comes after Hindustan Timesreported that around 90 rabbits, 68 monkeys and several other animals were incarcerated in poor conditions at the AIIMS' central animal facility for years.See video | video 2 | video 3

Premier medical institute AIIMS on Tuesday directed an inquiry into allegations of dismal conditions of animal species at its laboratory.

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The move comes after Hindustan Times reported that around 90 rabbits, 68 monkeys and several sheep and guinea pigs were incarcerated in poor conditions at the AIIMS' central animal facility for years, leaving them physically and mentally sick.

"The authorities have asked the AIIMS Animal Welfare Committee and the Internal Animal Ethics Committee to inspect the facility and submit a report at the earliest, preferably within two days," said an official spokesperson.

Besides members of the Committee for Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA) of the Environment Ministry also visited the institute to look into the allegations, he said.

"The reports of our own experts and that of the CPCSEA will be taken very seriously and appropriate action will be taken against offenders in any," he said.

Maintaining that the institute was open to take corrective action, the spokesperson said that so far no anomalies have been reported in the functioning of the facility.

"As far as the administration knows, all departments have been functioning as per the norms," he said, adding, the institute is, however, open to take appropriate measures if wrong practises were found in the awaited reports.