Gibbons said, however, that Harvard’s success in random federal inspections disproves Budkie’s accusations.
“We have an incredibly good track record in all of our USDA inspections,” Gibbons said. “We have three different groups that can inspect us without notice.”
Gibbons also said that the accusation of social isolation is inconsistent.
“By [SAEN’s] own literature, they don’t like primates to be isolated, and when you cage them together they get roughhoused,” Gibbons said.
But in captivity, according to Gibbons, primates are treated well and receive regular veterinary care.
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“Every scratch gets reported,” he said.