Vilab II Facilities

The institute consists of a large research building with office, laboratories, and a library located on 124 acres. The animal facility presently houses a freezer room, surgical suite, kitchen and storage rooms.

CHIMPANZEE FACILITIES: The 59 chimpanzees presently housed at Vilab II are held in large outdoor cages and enclosures (minimum 8 x 8 x 10 feet), housing from 2-15 animals each. Cages have Likset watering systems and individual septic systems. Five 10-30 acre islands, located in nearby rivers are available for retirement and breeding. One additional island is inhabited by 15 chimpanzees released in April 2000.

Recently a large resocialization facility consisting of 5 12X12X12 foot interconnecting cages, opening into a ½ acre climbing and play area, has been constructed. This has been found to be invaluable for the resocialization of large groups containing many adult chimpanzees. All six islands have been provided with large feeding areas, fresh water supply, and transects.

COMPUTER: IBM-compatible 486 (2) and 386 (4) computers with E-mail capability.

OFFICE: typewriter; copy machine; satellite phone.

OPERATING ROOM: X-ray machine; Gas anesthesia apparatus.

COLD STORAGE: So-Low -70 freezers (2); Refrigerated blood bank centrifuges (2); Liquid nitrogen tanks (6); Biocool controlled rate freezer; waterbaths.

MAJOR EQUIPMENT:

Power Plant: 76 kva Caterpillar generators (2) provide backup in the event of a power outage. Both are carefully maintained and are reliable. As a result, no loss of freezer contents has been experienced by Vilab II during. All laboratories and indoor work areas are air conditioned.

Clinical Chemistry: Furner & Colman spectrophotometer; Bioteck & Dynateck Elisa reader; pH meter; filamatic vial filter; vacuum pumps; water baths; Gamma counter (single sample); Microhematocrit centrifuge; stirrer; mixer.

Virology: laminar flow hoods (2); inverted microscope (2); CO2 water jacked incubators (2); table top centrifuge (2); Beckman refrigerated centrifuge; stirrer; mixer; pH meter; water baths; balances (2); vacuum pump; microfuge.

Histology & EM Preparation: vacuum oven; slide warmers (2); histokinette; water bath; microtome; chemical hood.

Microbiology: light microscope; mixer; incubator; water bath.

Glassware: autoclave (2); glassware dryer; water distillers (2); water baths; scales (2); vacuum pump; hot plate.