Dear John,

A new historic milestone for nonhuman animals has been reached in Pennsylvania. A judge has issued the first-ever habeas corpus order for a nonhuman animal in the state, advancing the Nonhuman Rights Project’s lawsuit on behalf of the elephants confined by the Pittsburgh Zoo.

In addition to the order, the court has scheduled a hearing on the zoo’s Motion to Dismiss which will be held on January 28. If the judge denies the motion, the case will then proceed to a hearing on the merits of the petition, during which the zoo will have to justify the continued confinement of Angeline, Savanna, Tasha, Victoria, and Zuri. This would be a historic first in Pennsylvania!

As NhRP Senior Staff Attorney Jake Davis explains,

“The legal system routinely refuses to even hear cases brought on behalf of animals simply because they are not human. That the court is examining this case is a welcome departure from business as usual and an opportunity to correct the gross injustice of the elephants’ captivity.”

This is only the third habeas corpus order issued for nonhuman animals in U.S. history and the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. For the elephants confined by the Pittsburgh Zoo, it means the law may finally be forced to confront the injustice of their imprisonment.

You can still help move this case forward. Please consider forwarding this email to five friends or family members, especially those in Pennsylvania or the Pittsburgh area, so they know what is coming and why it matters. You can also add your name to the petition calling for justice for the Pittsburgh Zoo elephants and help demonstrate the broad public support behind this case.