Every year, the New Zealand Government releases data on the use of animals for research, testing, and teaching (RTT) - a snapshot of how animals are involved in science across the country.  

MPI (the Ministry for Primary Industries) has now published the latest figures, covering animal use in 2024. And this year, the numbers tell an unprecedented story.

A record-breaking year - but context matters

In 2024, 602,318 animals were used for science in Aotearoa. This is the highest number recorded since reporting began in 1987, and more than double the long-term annual average of around 300,000.

At first glance, that headline is alarming. But at BAR, we are laser focused on understanding the deeper details to deliver accurate conclusions.

While the total number of animals used is the highest ever, the number killed during or after use is actually lower than last year.  

Unfortunately, due to the lack of transparency built into the current system, it remains extremely difficult to determine how many animals experienced harm, distress, or invasive procedures.

Why does this matter?

Because not all animals counted in the total number are harmed at all.

For example:

• Wildlife observed in their natural habitats
• Collecting data on animals non-invasively through cameras or tracks
• Companion dogs voluntarily participating in safe treat preference studies

These ‘uses’ raise no ethical or scientific concerns, yet they are included in the same totals as animals who undergo invasive, painful, or lethal procedures.  

Without clarity, the public cannot accurately understand the true scale of harmful use - and neither can policymakers.

This is why BAR focuses on facts, transparency, and meaningful reform, rather than sensationalism. The real problem - the harmful use of animals in science - is large enough on its own.

So, what caused the huge spike in 2024?

At first glance, the record-breaking total appears alarming - but a large portion of the increase can be explained by two key factors.

The first is species-related:

One species alone accounts for most of the rise: fish.

A dramatic increase in fish use led to the record numbers. In 2024:

• 292,348 fish were used ‍
• 59,418 were killed ‍
• 230,634 were captured from the wild ‍
• 198,454 were used for species conservation purposes ‍
• 236,730 experienced a “moderate impact” ‍
• 222,637 were released back into the wild

The second factor is the reporting cycle itself:

Much of the year-to-year variability in animal use statistics is due to how long-term projects are reported. Projects that run over several years do not report animal numbers annually. Instead, they report only at the end of the project or when their AEC approval expires - which is typically every three years.

In 2024, several large, multi-year projects were reported at once, significantly increasing the total animals counted for that year.

Because of this, a more meaningful indicator is the three-year rolling average:

From 2022 to 2024, New Zealand used an average of 437,077 animals per year for RTT – still much higher than previously, but more reflective of actual ongoing use than the single-year spike. ‍

The real issue: Animals harmed or killed

While some science involves no harm, many animals are still subjected to invasive, painful, and terminal procedures.

In 2024: 110,245 animals were killed during or after use.

This is:

• Lower than 2023 (126,787) ‍
• Lower than the previous three-year average (117,976)
  But still, far too many. Every one of these deaths represents an animal whose life ended for science – which is what we must work to eliminate.

Additionally, 139,686 animals were killed as “excess” - bred but never used. This is a huge and unacceptable waste of sentient life, and BAR has a campaign planned to directly address this important issue with the science community in the new year.  

Only 141 animals were rehomed.

2024 at a glance: Key statistics

Total animals used: 602,318

Killed during or after use: 110,245

Bred and killed as excess: 139,686

Rehomed: 141

Most-used species

• Fish: 292,348 ‍
• Cattle: 178,637 ‍
• Sheep: 50,460 ‍
• Mice: 34,719 ‍
• Other birds: 10,754

Species most commonly killed

• Fish: 59,418 ‍
• Mice: 32,720 ‍
• Rats: 6,965 ‍
• Sheep: 4,174 ‍
• Guinea pigs: 2,617

What species were used - and killed - for science?

How were animals used in science?

Where were animals used?

Where did the animals come from?

So, where to from here?

These statistics show that New Zealand’s reliance on harmful animal use is not decreasing overall, even as new technologies, human-relevant methods, and global shifts point toward a better way forward.

The tools to transition exist. The alternatives are improving. The science is evolving.

What we need now, therefore, is to remove age-old barriers across institutions, regulators, and government - to accelerate the shift.

At BAR, we believe that real progress comes from trust, collaboration, and transparency. The time for working in isolation and in our opposing ideological corners is over. Scientists, advocates, policymakers, and communities must work together to create a science system that is both ethical and effective.

As a united Science Alliance for Animals BAR can move Aotearoa beyond harmful animal research and toward a future where scientific innovation doesn’t involve animal suffering.

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Together, we can transform the future of science in New Zealand.