Purpose
The purpose of these guidelines are to provide guidance regarding which studies involving animals must be approved through the IACUC versus those that are exempt from additional oversight.
Scope
These guidelines apply to all University of Oregon students/staff/faculty conducting research with animals, particularly those working with animals in the field, zoos, or animal rescues.
Backgrounds/Definitions
To comply with federal regulations and guidelines, UO requires that the IACUC review all research, testing, or teaching activities involving live vertebrate animals. This generally includes field, zoological studies, and general observation studies as defined by activities involving live vertebrate animals not performed in a laboratory.
Field
Site where animals are free-living in their natural environment.
Zoo
An establishment which maintains a collection of wild animals, typically in a park or gardens, for study, conservation, or display to the public.
Animal Rescue
Site where animals are kept in captivity due to lack of ownership (domestic animals) or rehabilitation efforts.
*Invasive procedure/Animal manipulation
A procedure that involves the capture, handling, encroachment on breeding areas or nesting sites, the use of models or recordings of calls, or approach of animals during sensitive life cycle phases.
Field Study
A non-invasive study conducted on wild animals free-living in their natural environment.
Field Research
A research project conducted on wild animals free-living in their natural environment that includes trapping, tagging, handling, or other invasive procedures.
Observational Study
A study that involves the observation of animals or passive collection of samples (e.g. collection of fecal droppings).
Background
Studies that are conducted on free-living wild animals in their natural habitat or captive-living in a zoological environment or animal rescue and which do not involve an invasive procedure, handling, any potential harm to the animal, or any material alteration of the behavior of an animal under study are exempt from IACUC review. Any studies involving the capture or handling (e.g., trapping or netting) of wild or domestic animals must be reviewed by the IACUC; unobtrusive observational studies (e.g., passive video and audio recording) are exempt.
Principal Investigators conducting field research, field studies, or observation studies are to be knowledgeable about relevant zoonotic diseases, associated safety issues and any laws or regulations that apply. Exceptions to the above are to be clearly defined and evaluated by the IACUC.
Principal Investigators must assure the IACUC that he/she will have all applicable local, regional, and national permits or other requirements required for the observation, capture, transportation, data collection or other proposed activity prior to the start of the study and for the appropriate duration. Occupational health and safety (OHS) issues, including zoonoses, are to be covered by the institution’s OHS program with assurances to the IACUC that the field or observational study does not compromise the health and safety of persons in the field.
Observational studies involving animals residing in zoos or animal rescues are exempt from IACUC oversight. Passive collection of samples is allowed provided it does not impact animal behavior or nutrition and is noninvasive. Samples may be collected during routine husbandry or veterinary procedures by trained professionals and provided to the research group, however active participation in the collection of these samples may require additional oversight. Contact the UO IACUC with further questions (IACUC@uoregon.edu).
Regulation
The use of animals for research, teaching, and testing at UO is regulated by and conducted in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) of 1966 as amended, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) AWA regulations, the U.S. Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy), and the Rules of Accreditation of the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC International).
Guide for the Care of and Use of Laboratory Animals, ILAR, NAS, Eighth Edition 2011, pg. 32, Field Investigations, “Investigations may involve the observation of nondomesticated vertebrate species under field conditions” and that “…the basic principles of humane care and use apply to the use of animals living in natural conditions.”
The IACUC Handbook, Taylor and Francis, 2017, pg. 18-19, “Zoological gardens need to be registered as a research facility if they are conducting invasive procedures in a research context, i.e., to gather disseminate data and information. Typically behavioral and observational studies do not include invasive procedures and, therefore, do not require registration as a research facility.”
Policy
- To determine if a project is exempt from IACUC oversight, the flowchart below can be used. If a research project is determined to be exempt, the PI should submit a Research Exemption Form to the IACUC office (IACUC@uoregon.edu).
- The Research Exemption Form is reviewed by the IACUC Chair, the Attending Veterinarian, and the Director of Animal Welfare Services or their designee. Any of these individuals may call for full committee review of the proposed project.
- If research is federally funded, an IACUC protocol may be a requirement of funding. Check with your funding source prior to submission of an exemption form.
Question 1
Are you proposing research, providing housing/exhibition of animals, or training students involving vertebrate or cephalopod animals?
Yes: Proceed to question 2
No: No IACUC review is required
Question 2
Where is the project going to be conducted?
Laboratory: Proceed to question 3
Field/Zoo/Other: Proceed to question 4
Question 3
Will the project be conducted with specimens only, or will the project include live animals?
Specimen only: Contact the IACUC and IBC
Live animals: IACUC Review is Required
Question 4
Will the project be observations only, or does the project include animal manipulation?
Observation only: Download the 'Exempt Research' Form and submit to the IACUC
Animal manipulation*: IACUC Review is Required
*Animal manipulation is defined as the capture, handling, housing, transportation, treatment, and euthanasia of animals. This also includes visiting sensitive areas such as nesting sites and breeding areas, close approach during sensitive phases of life cycles, or potential disturbances (tape playbacks of calls).
References
2016 Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the Use of Wild Mammals in Research. Journal of Mammalogy, 97(3):663-688, 2016.
Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research (3rd Edition – 2010, The Ornithological Council). With Clarifications and Exceptions as outlined by AAALAC International.
Guidelines of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists for the use of amphibians, reptiles, and fishes in research.
The IACUC Handbook, 3rd edition, 2017, Taylor and Francis.
Issued By
Stephanie Womack, Director of Animal Welfare Services