Many different types of animals are used for research, testing and teaching purposes in NZ including:

• Alpacas/llamas
• Amphibians
• Birds
• Cats
• Cows
• Cephalopods/crustaceans
• Deer
• Dogs
• Fish
• Goats
• Guinea pigs
• Horses/donkeys
• Marine mammals
• Mice
• Pigs
• Possums
• Rabbits
• Rats
• Reptiles
• Sheep
• Other species*

*Other species include but are not limited to:

Bats, ferrets, stoats, hedgehogs, llamas, alpacas, chinchillas, chimpanzees, elephants, giraffes, wallabies, spider monkeys, Himalayan tahr, meerkats, wild ducks, sea lions and weasels.

Animals that can’t be used

The only animals that can’t be used for science in NZ – or more accurately can only be used if special requirements are met are:

• ‍Gorillas
• Chimpanzees
• Bonobos
• Orangutans

The most commonly used animals

The type of animals used for science in NZ diverges from the "norm" in many other countries around the world - cattle, sheep, fish and mice are the most commonly used animals for research, testing and teaching purposes in NZ.

Cattle, sheep and fish have something significant in common - they are all animals that people eat!

There is a strong connection between animal experimentation and animal agriculture in NZ- Learn more here.