Court Case Update and Online Seminar

Dear John,

The Nonhuman Rights Project has filed a Reply to the Bronx Zoo’s brief in our appeal in Happy’s elephant rights case, attacking the legal errors made by a higher court that Bronx Supreme Court Justice Alison Y. Tuitt “regrettably” felt obligated to follow even though she “agrees [with the NhRP] that Happy is more than just a legal thing, or property. She is an intelligent, autonomous being who should be treated with respect and dignity, and may be entitled to liberty.” 

Learn more: Read our blog post and Reply Brief. 

Join us: On Friday, Oct. 2nd—the two-year anniversary of the filing of Happy’s habeas corpus petition—NhRP President Steven M. Wise and NhRP Staff Attorney Elizabeth Stein will discuss the latest in Happy’s case, why we’re fighting for her right to liberty, the progress we’ve made so far, and more. They’ll also take questions, which you can send in ahead of time by replying to this email or you can submit them via the Zoom chat window during the conversation. Click here for full details and how to join.  

As the NhRP emphasizes in our Reply Brief, “[T]he fact that the Bronx Zoo may be in compliance with various animal welfare laws is wholly irrelevant. This case does not turn on whether Happy’s temperature is being taken, what her blood panel is, or what she has eaten for breakfast. Rather, like all common law habeas corpus cases, it turns on whether Happy’s imprisonment violates her common law right to bodily liberty.” 

We hope to see you on the 2nd!

Lauren Choplin
Communications Director, the NhRP