04-05-2007, 10:28 AM
Quote:He recognises himself in the mirror, plays hide-and-seek and breaks into fits of giggles when tickled. He is also our closest evolutionary cousin.
A group of world leading primatologists argue that this is proof enough that Hiasl, a 26-year-old chimpanzee, deserves to be treated like a human. In a test case in Austria, campaigners are seeking to ditch the 'species barrier' and have taken Hiasl's case to court. If Hiasl is granted human status - and the rights that go with it - it will signal a victory for other primate species and unleash a wave of similar cases...
full article: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/sto...?gusrc=rss&feed=12
Another court case involving a chimp:
Quote: I have been warning for some time now that the animal liberation movement seeks to change the law so that animals can be litigants in lawsuits. (What would really happen is the animal liberationists would be the litigants, with the animal as the unknowing "beard.") Well it has happened in Brazil...
full article: http://www.wesleyjsmith.com/blog/2005/11...abeas.html