Argentine zoo improves space for orangutan designated as "non-human person"
Argentine zoo improves space for orangutan designated as "non-human person"
EFE | Buenos Aires 14 May 2015
The Buenos Aires Zoo is renovating the enclosure that houses "Sandra," a female orangutan at the center of a legal battle between the facility and animal rights activists calling for her transfer to a wildlife sanctuary, a dispute that has resulted in the creature being recognized as a "non-human person."
In light of veterinarians' recommendations a month ago, an "environmental enrichment" effort is underway at Sandra's enclosure, with the work starting shortly before a court recognized an animal rights group as the orangutan's legal representative, a zoo spokesman told Efe.
http://www.efe.com/efe/noticias/english/life/argentine-zoo-improves-space-for-orangutan-designated-non-human-person/4/2062/2612548
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From January, 2015:
Argentine orangutan granted unprecedented legal rights
Emiliano Giménez, Special to CNN Espanol
Updated 2:29 PM ET, Sun January 4, 2015
Editor's Note: Read this story in Spanish at CNN Espanol.
(CNN Espanol)—In a world first, a court in Argentina issued a historic and unprecedented ruling that favors the rights of an orangutan held in captivity. Sandra the orangutan was granted a legal action so she may be transferred to a habitat in keeping with her development.
Argentina's Association of Professional Lawyers for Animal Rights filed a writ of habeas corpus, a resource to avoid arbitrary arrests, on Sandra's behalf. Once the release and transfer order is issued, the orangutan would be taken to a sanctuary in Brazil, where she would live under partial or controlled freedom.
Sandra, who has been living in captivity for the past 20 years at the Buenos Aires Zoo, was considered a "nonhuman being" and she was granted basic rights, such as life, freedom and a premise of "no harm" either physically or psychologically.
Argentina's Federal Chamber of Criminal Cassation ruled the primate is a subject of law, "a nonhuman being that has certain rights, and can enforce them through legal procedure," according to Andrés Gil Domínguez, Sandra's attorney.
"This is an unprecedented ruling, the first ruling worldwide," said the lawyer.
Previously, Argentine laws interpreted animals as things.
More:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/23/world/americas/feat-orangutan-rights-ruling/
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Zoo orangutan, Sandra, entitled to legal rights, Argentine court rules, clearing way for possible release
Almudena Calatrava, The Associated Press | December 22, 2014
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — An orangutan that has lived 20 years at the Buenos Aires zoo is entitled to some legal rights enjoyed by humans, an Argentine court has ruled, a decision the ape’s attorney called unprecedented and a ticket to greater freedom.
The ruling comes a month after a local animal rights group filed a habeas corpus writ in favour of Sandra, who was born in Germany but has lived in captivity in Buenos Aires most of her life.
“Following a dynamic … judicial interpretation, it is necessary to recognize that the animal is subject to rights, and should be protected,” said the Dec. 18 ruling, published Monday by the official judicial news agency.
Andres Gil Dominguez, who represented the orangutan, said the “unprecedented” ruling paves the way for the habeas corpus rights to be accepted by the courts and for Sandra to be released at a sanctuary.
“It sets a precedent that changes the paradigm of animal guardianship and will impact their rights. … It will lead to a lot of discussions,” Gil Dominguez told The Associated Press.
More:
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/zoo-orangutan-sandra-entitled-to-legal-rights-argentine-court-rules-clearing-way-for-possible-release
