Princeton cited for problems with lab animals

For a second straight year, Princeton University has been cited for procedural violations in how it treats animals in its laboratories.

But like last year, the problems cited by federal inspectors are mostly related to record keeping rather than care of the primates.

U.S Department of Agriculture inspections conducted in February and April found six violations, including one in which an animal was mistakenly denied water for about 36 hours.

University spokeswoman Martin Mbugua told The Times of Trenton that the watering problem was due to a “breakdown of communication,” adding that the school has taken steps to prevent similar problems from occurring.

Similar inspections in 2010 had uncovered 11 violations, mostly regarding record-keeping matters at the facility, which university officials say houses 15 macaques and 10 marmosets.