Dear John,
We’d like to share an update with you about where things stand in our fight to free seven chimpanzees imprisoned at a roadside zoo in Michigan—and what you can do today to support their case while we wait for the Michigan Court of Appeals to set a date for oral arguments.
In case you missed it, in 2023 we filed a habeas corpus lawsuit demanding recognition of these chimpanzees’ right to liberty and their release to an accredited sanctuary. This case could set a powerful legal precedent, not just for the DeYoung chimpanzees—but for all autonomous nonhuman animals held in unjust confinement.
As we wrote in our complaint:
“These are autonomous, self-determining beings forced to live in a wholly unnatural environment, one that deprives them of the ability to meaningfully exercise their autonomy. As a consequence of this unjust deprivation, they are suffering physically and psychologically.”
We expect to hear back from the court about a date for oral arguments in August. Until then, your support continues to power every brief we file, every argument we prepare, and every action we take to secure our clients' freedom.
Visit the DeYoung chimpanzees’ client page to learn more about their case, and help us share their story far and wide—with friends, family, or colleagues, especially those who live in Michigan.
