What a load of rubbish.
Don't get me wrong, there is a kernel of logic to all of this. Great apes - especially chimpanzees and bonobos - are very closely related to humans, and our certainly some of the most intelligent, sentient animals out there. You could very well argue that they are different species of people. That being said, making them legally people? How will that work?
Presumably if the zoo loses its appeal, the ape in question will go to a sanctuary... where it will be kept in a cage, as well. There again, its "freedom" will be curtailed. If you're going to keep it in captivity, then at least keep it with the people and environment it knows. Or do they propose to let it wander the city streets? Ship it off to Sumatra? Plan, anyone?
Orangutans are among the most endangered of primates, with their habitats in Indonesia shrinking yearly. They are thriving, however, in zoos, which may soon become their lost home... why endanger that just for feel-good points?
On the plus side, maybe if orangutans and other apes are going to be awarded human rights, then maybe they can be recognized as people in their native countries as well... maybe they could even buy land and hold deed to their rainforests, or the poaching of orangutans could be prosecuted as kidnapping or murder...
Somehow, I don't see that flying.
Photo credit: Rueters
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