SAN ANTONIO -- A botched autopsy on a male baboon in 2006 is leading to accusations of animal cruelty by animal rights groups.

The incident happened in April 2006 at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research when a worker did not check to see if the baboon was dead following a lethal injection, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In its report, the USDA noted that while the lab worker did administer the injection, "a significant program deficiency" led to the baboon's dissection while still alive.

Now, animal rights groups are calling for the National Institute of Health to revoke the foundation's research grant, which is worth several millions dollars, according to the activists.

"This is one of the most chilling incidents of abuse and clear negligence I have seen in the 20 years I have been working," said Michael Budkis, a member of Stop Animal Exploitation Now.

According to the foundation's Web site, the facility holds the world's largest colony of baboons for medical research.

According to a representative of the research facility, the federal agency that deals with lab animal research found lab workers met all federal guidelines in the baboon dissection.

In response to the report, the research center said it has instituted new guidelines for euthanasia.