National Primate Research Exhibition Hall facts for kids
The National Primate Research Exhibition Hall (NPRX) is a planned museum in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. It was started by a group called the Primate Freedom Project. This museum aims to teach people about animal rights and the debated topic of using primates in scientific research. The museum is not yet open. It has been involved in a legal disagreement over the land where it plans to be built.
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Where the Museum Might Be
The planned spot for the NPRX museum has caused some local debate in Madison. The museum's address would be 26 N. Charter St. This location is very close to two primate labs. These labs are the Harry Harlow Primate Psychology Laboratory and the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. Both are connected to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Together, these labs keep over 2,000 primates for scientific studies.
The University's Interest in the Property
After the museum project was announced, the University of Wisconsin–Madison offered $1,000,000 for the property. The university wanted to use the land to make their primate research facilities bigger. The person who owned the property tried to sell it to the university. This happened even though they had made earlier promises and written agreements with animal rights groups to use the land for the museum.
Legal Battle Over the Land
On November 27, 2006, a judge in Wisconsin, Sarah O'Brien, made a decision. She sided with the animal rights activists. The judge said that the original agreement for the property was valid. She ordered the owner to give the property to the activists. She also said the activists should be paid back for their legal costs. Lawyers for the property owner and spokespeople for the university said they would likely appeal this decision.
Rick Bogle, who started the Primate Freedom Project, said they would keep fighting for their rights to the property. He also said they still plan to open the museum. Bogle believed the university might try to delay the project. Joseph Kemnitz, who directs the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, was disappointed by the judge's decision. He called the activists' efforts "an unexpected opportunity for them to cause trouble." A university official, Alan Fish, said the property was "absolutely critical" for the future of primate research at the university.
The University of Wisconsin still wanted to get this property for expansion. They even considered using a legal process called "eminent domain." This process allows the government or a public institution to take private land for public use, even if the owner doesn't want to sell.
See also
- International trade in primates
- Non-human primate experiments
