This timeline covers significant events in the muskoxen herd over the last 20 years. Recently, 12 muskoxen died of malnutrition. These deaths led to several reviews of the University's protocols and an overhaul of the animal care structure at UAF.
Created by hbryant on Oct 11, 2011
Last updated: 10/18/11 at 01:47 PM
Tags: muskoxen deaths muskox LARS UAF University of Alaska Fairbanks Robert G. White Large Animals Research Station The Sun Star
The Sun Star: LARS muskoxen deaths trigger investigation has no followers yet. Be the first one to follow.
Michael Budke of Stop the Exploitation of Animals NOW! sends a letter to the USDA asking that the USDA further investigate the deaths and prosecute LARS. The complaint cites "unqualified personnel, improper euthanasia methods, inadequate veterinary care, improper feeding of animals, an insufficient number of employees to adequately care for the animals, and improper facilities" that were outlined in the USDA report as a basis for their complaint.
USDA veterinarian Tracy Thompson visits UAF for a regular checkup. USDA releases summary report tying the problems outlined in O'Rourke's report to LARS - including staffers being instructed not to talk to Veterinary Services Blake because of perceived fear of reprisal from the Office of Research Integrity. The report concludes that the decisions made without consulting Blake directly impacted the health of the muskox herd and led to 12 deaths.
11 muskoxen have died at this point. Seven cows are pregnant, four calves survive. The UAF administration makes plans to change infrastructure during the summer.
The Sun Star reported on the births of four calves in April that brought the total herd number to 29.
http://www.uafsunstar.com/?p=4874
Chancellor Rogers' office releases a document containing a "comprehensive set of organizational changes." Bob Shefchik wrote most of the changes before Mark Myers took his place as institutional official in April.
The Sun Star reported that 11 muskoxen had died and that plans were being made to overhaul the animal care system at UAF. The herd had stabilized by then.
http://www.uafsunstar.com/?p=4650
Dorcas O'Rourke, a consultant who has worked for AAALAC, comes to UAF to prepare a report on the state of the university's entire animal care system. The O'Rourke report mentions problems that occurred at LARS but does not attribute them to LARS.
Perry Barboza is no longer overseeing administrative duties at LARS while the station is under the clinical care of John Blake, the attending veterinarian.
Barboza expresses concern in an email to Chancellor Rogers about not receiving a copy of the report from Blake until a week after it was released.
Perry Barboza, who was in charge of LARS at the time, receives the report from the WSU investigation from Blake.
The Sun Star was the first to report on the deaths of seven muskoxen at LARS due to malnutrition.
At the time, LARS officials were still waiting on test results from the necropsy to determine the official cause.
http://www.uafsunstar.com/?p=2090
Investigators from WSU release their findings from the investigation on Oct. 14, 2011.
Muskoxen #249 and #260 are weighed.
Muskox #262 dies under anesthesia. Muskox #246 is euthanized. Muskoxen #249 and #260 are weighed.
Muskoxen #260, #262, #249 and #246 are weighed.
Muskoxen #260, #262, #249 and #246 are weighed.
Muskoxen #255 and #259 are found dead in their pens. "Muskoxen #249 anesthetized for hoof trim, blood draw, vet check. Nuflor, vitamin B12 and Vitamin B complex given and ordered every other day for 5 treatments."
Muskoxen #259, #260 and # 262 are weighed. "Hay sampled from pen 5 feeder and moved feeder onto load bars for weighing."
"Supplemental graining switched to 1 kg each day, round bale hay offered, feces, graining check sheet created."
Muskoxen #249 and #255 are weighed.
Muskox #254 dies.
First muskoxen dies.
Muskoxen #249, #254, #255, # 259, #260 and #262 are weighed.
"Supplemental graining increased to 3 kg, 3 times per week."
Muskoxen #249, #254 and #255 are weighed.
Muskoxen #259, #260 and #262 are weighed.
Muskoxen # 249, #254 and #255 are weighed.
Muskoxen #259, #260 and #262 "given access to South catch pen for increased grazing opportunity."
Muskoxen #259, #260 and #262 weighed.
"Weight trends put together."
Muskoxen # 259, #260 and #262 weighed. "Email sent noting weight trend concerns."
"Adult muskox moved out of display pen to make sure declining weights is not due to competition."
Muskoxen #259, #260 and #262 are weighed.
Muskoxen #249, #254, and #255 are weighed.
Bill Hauer is no longer overseeing daily operations at LARS. His successor, Jason Jack, also oversaw Animal Quarters during this time.
Two muskoxen are impregnated, but no calves survive, a possible sign of malnutrition or a result of reproductive studies.
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