More than 10,000 animals were euthanised at the University of Otago in 2016, according to data first released to student magazine Critic.
The species used included mice, rats, fish, amphibians and sheep. Cats and dogs were also used in research, but were not euthanised afterwards.
Altogether, 89,660 animals were used in scientific research between 2012 and the end of 2016, and 71,596 were euthanised as a result.
The university is planning on building a new $50 million animal research support facility, a decision heavily criticised by the Otago Student Animal Legal Defense Fund.
"The numbers of animals being held, researched on, and killed by the university are staggering. They show that the university places little value on the lives of these animals," says defence fund president Oska Rego.
"We believe that these large numbers reflect entrenched practices that need to be critically scrutinised. These are sentient beings that are suffering. We would like to see some evidence of how this suffering is justified on a case-by-case basis."
University of Otago Deputy Vice-Chancellor research and enterprise Professor Richard Blaikie says the number of animals used is "ethically justified".
"We do not test products on animals. We only involve animals for ethically justified research and teaching purposes," he says.
"All projects aim to provide knowledge that will advance human or animal health and well-being, provide understanding of important biological processes, or will lead to beneficial environmental outcomes."
He says the use of animals has provided insights into stroke causes and rehabilitation, infertility and obesity.
However, Mr Rego argues too much importance is given to scientific progress, and not enough to the lives of the animals.
"The university places a high value on growing scientific knowledge, regardless of whether it is clearly going to have benefits for the planet and society," he told Newshub.
"This makes it easy for the Animal Ethics Committee to justify their confinement, suffering and death on the basis of marginal or possible scientific gains."
Ultimately, Prof Blaikie argues animals at Otago are "treated with respect and given the highest standards of care and welfare available".
"Research involving animals has played a vital part in nearly every medical breakthrough in the past few decades and has helped saved hundreds of millions of lives worldwide," he says.
"Environmental protection, for example, requires us to understand the behaviours and biology of our native species. Knowing how to manage and control introduced pests will help towards our ambitious goal of having a predator-free New Zealand by 2050."
Newshub.
