Judge orders chimp to be freed from zoo enclosure after ruling the animal has 'non-human rights'

Well we will see if this makes it to the US.
What spurred the law suit was a Spanish visitor complained, then they were off for a 2 year court battle. The chimp won his non human rights. I would imagine he may need a new cage less cage? Hope they can afford it, If not what happens to the emancipated monkey?

A judge has ruled that a zoo chimpanzee is a "being" with "non- human rights " in a landmark animal welfare case.

Cecilia, in her 30s, has been kept alone in a concrete enclosure for years at the shabby Mendoza Zoo in Argentina after the death of two of her mates.

But after complaints from a Spanish visitor, sparking a two-year legal wrangle, Judge María Alejandra Mauricio ruled Cecilia be freed and transferred to a sanctuary in Brazil.

Judge Mauricio said non-human creatures possessed rights related to their "animal essence" .

Cecilia will be moved to the Great Ape Project's sanctuary in Brazil, where the chimp will be able to socialise with other chimpanzees and live in humane conditions.

She was popular with visitors to Mendoza Zoo, which is notorious for keeping its residents cooped up in cages, but had been left alone with only a blanket for cover.

Her only companions Charlie and Xuxa died some years ago, leaving sad Cecilia to mope around her pen alone.

www.mirror.co.uk...

originally posted by: seasonal
The chimp won his non human rights.

What a huge slippery slope this is.
There better be some very specific requirements on what animals do gain and not gain "non human rights". Things like dolphins, whales, and high end primates I am fine with having. they have self awareness and the ability to communicate meaningful dialog (with training and exposure) to humans.
But then what about things like dogs and cats that dont have nearly the same level of awareness, but are faithful human companion animals born and bred for thousands of years to adapt to human symbiotic relationships..or horses...

And if you follow this path, eventually pigs, cows, chicken and fish will come up.

what a mess..but it is a mess we should discuss tbh.

a reply to: seasonal

Bout time.

Here is the problem:

Primates, need specific care. If they are abused or mishandled or even if the space is too small for the animal, it can affect their well being. Primates, are social animals, requiring very specific needs, both physically, and mental well being. And if the zoo is not providing for the well being of the animal, perhaps it is for the best.

If you ever go into most zoo's where the primates are, in most exhibits, there are usually several of the same species, forming a troop. There is complex social interactions, that allow for the mental well being of such.

a reply to: seasonal

Hope they can afford it, If not what happens to the emancipated monkey?

she be fine, there are some great chimp sanctuaries in the world.
and if you don't think chimps and other animals don't feel and value freedom watch this.

a reply to: SaturnFX

We can't! A man was fined for animal cruelty for eating a goldfish raw. The Law will always go down the slippery slope and continue into the realms of utter stupidity.

It happens time and time again.

Good luck to the chimp. Solitary confinement is not something animals need to live with.

P

And all this from a Judge who is used to putting humans behind bars

a reply to: stonerwilliam

And all this from a Judge who is used to putting humans behind bars

True, but I think these monkeys get bored and they need to be treated differently than like a horse. I'm not for cramming a horse in a stall either, but they seem to be less inquisitive....???

Excellent. This may set precedence for the rights of artificially intelligent entities in the future.