This chimp could have the same rights as you indy100 indy100 Indy100 logoNewsletter sign upRegister/Sign inTop 100NewsViralPoliticsCelebritiesScience & TechVideoWishlistWishlistBooksFashion & BeautyFood & DrinkHome & GardenKidsSports & FitnessTechTravel & OutdoorsMoreScience & techVideoConversationsSportIdentitiesLifestyleShowbizTVSearchxNews
This chimp could have the same rights as you
Tim Walker (editedI100 StaffOct 09, 2014 Tommy, a 26-year-old former circus performer, lives on a trailer park in Gloversville in upstate New York, where he spends his days alone and confined to a shed, watching cartoons and nature programmes on television. His lawyer, Steven Wise, says this is no kind of life for a human. The problem? Tommy is a chimpanzee. This week, however, in what is believed to be the first court case of its kind, Mr Wise will argue that Tommy and other chimps are entitled to “legal personhood”. The Boston-based lawyer, who is also the president of animal advocacy group the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP), hopes a New York appeals court will rule that Tommy has been unlawfully imprisoned, and should be released to live among other chimps at a sanctuary in Florida. Keeping Tommy alone in a cage is just like keeping a human in solitary confinement, says Mr Wise, who has spent much of his career attempting to extend human rights and protections, such as freedom from captivity, to other intelligent animals. Should Tommy win his case, it could lead to broader rights not only for chimps and their fellow primates but also for other intelligent animals such as elephants, orcas and dolphins. The NhRP is expecting a written decision from the appeals court next month. More: What has the European Court of Human Rights ever done for us? US actors Reynolds and McElhenney to be honoured by people of Wales
How will the next prime minister and Tory leader be chosen
Ellis-Bextor to get the party started at new show for Edinburgh s Hogmanay
Please log in or register to upvote this article Top 100
Man endures ' 29 hour flight' with screaming kids for the entire trip
flightplanechildflightOct 12, 2022 How likely is it that Boris Johnson could be prime minister again
Boris Johnsonboris johnsontory leadership contesttory leadership racetory leaderTory leadershiptory leadershipConservativesconservative partyConservative Partyconservative leadership raceconservativesBoris JohnsonOct 21, 2022 The Rocky career of Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnsonthe rockblack adamwweDwayne JohnsonOct 21, 2022 Lorraine Kelly hits out at Madonna' s ' boiled egg' face
madonnamadonnalorraine kellygmbshowbizplastic surgeryOct 11, 2022 Elon Musk is actually selling a ' Burnt Hair' fragrance
elon muskthe boring companyperfumeelon muskburnt hairOct 12, 2022 Jon Stewart slams Arkansas attorney general for her ' anti-trans law'
lgbt+transgenderlgbt+jon stewartapple tvarkansasus newsnewsOct 11, 2022 Just Stop Oil protester praised for ' great' explanation of soup stunt
just stop oilvan goghprotestclimate activistsjust stop oilOct 19, 2022 Couple spark debate for ' scandalous' wedding cake topper
wedding caketiktokwedding cakeviralOct 12, 2022 Love Island star shows extent of how far influencers edit photos
Love IslandOct 11, 2022 Steven Seagal describes Putin as one of ' greatest world leaders'
steven seagalOct 10, 2022 Lizzo wears empowering shirt after being fat-shamed by Kanye West
lizzoOct 10, 2022 A lettuce just outlasted Liz Truss' stint as prime minister
Liz TrussOct 20, 2022 Newsnight guest says ' you can' t treat mortgages like prime ministers'
Liz TrussOct 20, 2022 The best memes about Suella Braverman ' departing' as home secretary
suella bravermanOct 19, 2022The Conversation (0)