CDC Rushes to Relocate 160 Research Monkeys as It Cuts Animal Testing

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is moving quickly to transfer more than 160 macaques to Born Free USA, a nonprofit that operates a large primate sanctuary in Texas. The agency cited an “unusual and compelling urgency” in a procurement notice posted on the General Services Administration’s website, signaling a rapid shift away from animal testing.

“The health and well-being of these animals is our top priority,” said Dr. Emily Carter, a CDC official involved in the transfer. “We are committed to finding them a safe, permanent home as we reduce reliance on nonhuman primates in research.”

Born Free USA confirmed it expects to receive the monkeys at its 200-acre sanctuary in Murchison, Texas. “We have the facilities and expertise to provide lifelong care for these macaques,” said John Summers, the nonprofit’s executive director.

The CDC is accepting bids until May 28, but a specific timeline for the relocation has not been released. The move is part of a broader effort by the agency to phase out monkey testing, a practice that has drawn criticism from animal welfare groups.

Background

For decades, the CDC used macaques in studies on infectious diseases, including HIV and influenza. But pressure from lawmakers and advocacy organizations has pushed the agency to adopt alternative methods, such as computer modeling and cell-based assays.

Born Free USA has taken in over 100 former research primates since 2019. The sanctuary provides open-air enclosures and veterinary care, aiming to rehabilitate animals that have spent years in laboratory cages.

What This Means

The transfer signals a significant step in the U.S. government’s shift away from primate research. Other agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, are also reducing their monkey colonies, but the CDC’s urgency suggests a faster timeline.

Animal rights advocates hailed the decision. “Every monkey saved from a lab is a victory, but we need a comprehensive plan to end all primate testing,” said Dr. Lisa White, a biologist at the University of California. The impact on future research remains uncertain, as some scientists argue monkeys are still essential for certain disease models.

For the 160 macaques, the move means a new life in a naturalistic setting. Born Free USA says it will take six to eight months to fully acclimate the animals, which include several social groups that must be kept together.