Students violated animal ethics by obstructing sheep's breathing, Stellenbosch University confirms
Stellenbosch University has confirmed a serious breach of animal research ethics after students suffocated a sheep during a feed experiment.
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Stellenbosch University has confirmed that students in its Department of Animal Sciences violated approved research protocols by blocking a sheep's nostrils and mouth with their hands during a feed experiment.
The serious breach came to light after Farmer's Weekly Magazine published a report on the incident, prompting the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) to launch an investigation.
The magazine alleged that students at the university’s experimental farm had nearly suffocated sheep using plastic bags to make them urinate and defecate as part of studies analysing their feed intake.
A whistleblower also claimed that some animals had, at times, been left without food or water.
In a recent statement, Stellenbosch University (SU) confirmed that its internal probe had found students carried out what was described as “transient apnoea” on one of the sheep.
The practice involving the temporary obstruction of the animal’s airways was found to be “a deviation from the approved protocols of its research ethics committee for animal care and use.”
According to the university, the approved and ethical way to collect urine from animals is through palpation of the bladder - a technique where pressure is applied to the abdomen to encourage urination.
A formal complaint was submitted to SU’s Research Integrity and Ethics Office in June, after Farmer’s Weekly’s coverage of the alleged cruelty.
A research integrity officer was appointed five days after the story broke, to investigate whether proper research standards had been breached.
The investigation - concluded on October 4 - followed SU’s procedures for handling alleged research misconduct.
In its statement, the university said: “Based on interviews and facts gathered during the investigation, the research integrity officer identified the deviation as a singular incident that was immediately stopped by the on-site veterinarian.”
SU also rejected claims that the animals had been deprived of food or water, stating that they were part of a feed trial and therefore had continuous access to both.
In addition, any researchers or students working with animals will now undergo compulsory training on responsible research conduct.
The university said this training aims to “increase awareness of ethical responsibility in research and enhance the research culture of our institution.”
The NSPCA, which is represented on Stellenbosch University’s research ethics committee, has been made aware of the findings, said Jacques Peacock, communications manager at the organisation.