Court rejects civil rights group’s effort to free elephant in Bronx Zoo, ruling she is not entitled to same rights as a ‘person’
CNNCNN — New York’s highest court ruled Tuesday that an elephant at the Bronx Zoo is not a “person” and that the civil rights group fighting for her release to a sanctuary is not entitled to do so on her behalf. The group fighting for her release, the Nonhuman Rights Project, has alleged she does not have “sufficient direct social contact” after multiple of her elephant companions were euthanized, according to the ruling. After the Bronx Zoo announced it would end its captive elephant program, Happy and one other female elephant are the only elephants who remain at the zoo and are housed separately due to their “hostile relationship,” the ruling states. The ruling states that while the civil rights group doesn’t dispute that Happy’s residence at the zoo complies with federal and state laws governing elephant care, it alleges that Happy “does not have sufficient direct social contact with other elephants” due to her living situation, but does not allege she is subject to cruel, neglectful or abusive treatment.
History of this topic
'Majestic, but not human': Why a US court has refused to release 5 elephants from Colorado zoo
Firstpost
Colorado zoo elephants have no right to seek freedom because they're not human, court rules
The Independent
Elephants can’t pursue their release from a Colorado zoo because they’re not human, court says
Associated Press
Where’s Happy? The mystery surrounding Bronx Zoo’s famous elephant
The Independent
Opinion: Why shouldn’t elephants have rights? They’re intelligent beings who can feel joy and sorrow
LA Times
Column: Are animals entitled to basic legal rights just like people?
LA Times
Bronx Zoo elephant named Happy isn’t a person, court rules
Associated Press
Court to decide whether Happy the elephant deserves basic human rights
CNN
Happy is an Asian elephant. But is she also a person?
Associated Press
Happy is an Asian elephant. But is she also a person?
The Independent
Campaigners call for elephants to be banned from UK zoos
The Independent
Appeals court upholds ruling over Bronx Zoo elephant
The Independent
Appeals court upholds ruling over Bronx Zoo elephant
Associated Press
Judge nixes claim that Bronx Zoo elephant is ‘imprisoned’
Associated Press
Zoo elephant is being ‘unlawfully imprisoned,’ group says
Associated Press
The elephant in the courtroom: Civil rights group argues denying personhood to animals contradicts the rule of law
The Independent
Bronx Zoo, Disney World's Animal Kingdom among the worst places to be an elephant
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