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Alamogordo Primate Facility This record for Ashley Chimpanzee was obtained thru a FOIA request to the Department of Health and Human Services. Ashley, #5267/1396. Ashley died in September 2002. We continue to investigate her death. According to documents from APF, ''the cause of (Ashley's) death is uncertain, but she was noted to be sick in a timely manner and appropraite veterinary actions were taken." In the report, it is noted Ashley, 'had a history of thrombocytopenia and a clotting problem. Her thrombocytopenia was first identified 10 years ago, but no work-up was conducted until APF2001. A bone marrow aspirate was performed earlier this year and a diagnosis of hematopoietic dysplastic syndrome was made. She was being treated for the condition and was stable. On 9/17/02, she was attached by her cage mates and sustained a large laceration. Due to her condition she had very few platelets and was transferred to a sick care cage to be treated. Despite intensive care she died later that night. A complete necropsy was performed and several samples taken to confirm the cause of death and other medical conditions. At necropsy she had an abnormal mass near the left adrenal gland. Therefore, the Differential Diagnosis is: Myelopthistic leukemia, hematopoietic dysplastic syndrome or adrenal Neoplasia.." On October 20, 2003, Thomas Butler notes, " Ashley, #1396, also sustained a laceration the the sex shin with subsequent bleeding. In my 36 years of working with nonhuman primates I have not seen nor heard of an animal having significant blood loss from this type lesion. Regardless, the chimpanzee did lose considerable blood but was accorded appropriate and intensive veterinary care. After the animal died a necropsy was performed and tissue sent to a highly qualified veterinary pathologist. No apparent cause was determined to expalin the blood loss. However, the chimpanzee had a history of blood disease that could have contributed to reduced clotting factors. I do not know of anything else the APF veterinary staff could have done that they did not do. " Further records record, "Hemorrhagic diathesis (chronic thrombocytopenia). Death was secondary to an attack by her cagemates. Documents about APF chimpanzees tell us: "3. Most of the chimpanzees have either been infected with one or more chronic viruses, and even if they were negative controls the chimpanzees have been subjected in the past to many invasive procedures such as punch biopsies of the liver and anesthetic events. These procedures are thought to contribute to long-term prolems in some animals with liver and renal failure, and various blood abnormalities." Animal cruelty charges were filed due to the death of Ashley, Rex and wilful neglect of Topsey. Read the story here.
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