Carol on the Musk Ox centre

Carol’s bit

Went off to visit a Musk oxen “reserve” today. It is situated in the grounds linked to the university. All seemed quite pleasant, and the guide seemed to be knowledgeable.
The words experimental and research came into the conversation, which set the alarm bells ringing. These mild natured animals are prehistoric, and are very gentle and curios. If anyone saw “ Stargate the movie I think this is what the animals in the film must have been based on.
They have an unusual way of storing food and coverting to glucose, and have 4 stomachs. It would seem that this is the basis of the research, which takes the form of some poor biologist rummaging through scat to find clues as to how this process works, and how we can utilise it for human benefit.
This didn’t seem quite complete, so I asked our host to define research and if vivi – section was practised at the facility. His response was “ we don’t experiment on dead animals “ after pointing out that, that was an autopsy and that vivi-section is experimenting on live animals. He then admitted that a drain was inserted into the animals on a regular basis through a hole in their stomach wall ( made by the laboratory) and enzymes and other digestive matter extracted with a spoon.

So what with the so called animal rescue and now this wonderful hell hole, I am not impressed with the way animals are treated over here. I don’t say the English are much better when it comes to experiments, but they don’t cover it up with the excuse of a tourist attraction and have the front to charge for it.