r97041 was born on May 15, 1997. The first time she was taken from her mother, two weeks after she was born, she weighed exactly one half kilogram.

The records WRPRC grudgingly released are very sketchy. She has been used, in some fashion, for research being conducted by the RPRC director, Joe Kemnitz. This study is titled: “DNA Profiling of Primates Used in Biomedical Research.” We know that she has been used in the study: “Novel Therapeutic Approaches for AIDS Utilizing an SIV Model,” and in another titled: “Ctl based Vaccines for the AIDS Virus: Vaccination,” and in another called: “Ctl Response in an SIV Infection in the Rhesus.”

On March 6, 2000 she was reported to be menstruating and vomiting.

As of August 2000, she was still SIV negative and was living with another monkey, r96096.

On August 11, the entry reads: “Remark: Fight with r96096; both a little scratched up. Remark: Still scratched up, but not bleeding; getting along well with partner, r96096.

As of February 2, 2001, r97041 was still alive and described as “thin.” A wound to the right side of her face was healing.

WRPRC director Joseph Kemnitz, wrote the cover letter accompanying the brief record supplied regarding r97041. The body of his letter, in its entirety, reads: This is in response for information as described in your letter of earlier this year (copy enclosed). A copy of the information you requested is enclosed herein.” He was asked for a copy of all records pertaining to r97041.

Two possibilities present themselves. 1.) Perhaps WRPRC really does record observations made concerning the monkeys in the facility very infrequently. Only 12 observations of r97401 were recorded during 2000. Other facilities maintain a daily log of observations. It is possible that WRPRC is simply uninterested in recording, on a daily, or even a weekly basis, whether the monkeys there are eating or appear healthy. This is very possible. 2.) Maybe Joe Kemnitz is simply a liar. Maybe there are many records available regarding r97401 and Kemnitz just lied when he wrote that the records requested [all records pertaining to r97401] were sent.

In the first case, WRPRC would be keeping far fewer records than some of the larger industry facilities, while in the second case, nothing they say can be believed. In either case, it is bothersome to realize that they stay in business solely due to support from the federal government – support derived entirely from our tax dollars.


r97041, our thoughts are with you.