An Orangutan Has Been Granted Basic Human Rights, Including Freedom From Captivity

December 23, 2014

A shy orangutan who spent the last 20 years in a Buenos Aires zoo has been granted basic legal rights enjoyed by humans.

Orangutan free human rights
Sandra (29 years old) / Photo: Reuters

A court in Argentina recognized Sandra as a "non-human person" unlawfully deprived of its freedom, and is to be released from captivity and transferred to a nature sanctuary in Brazil.

Orangutan given human rights
SUTANTA ADITYA AFP

In a ruling that could pave the way for animals in captivity across the globe, the Association of Officials and Lawyers for Animal Rights (AFADA) argued the ape had sufficient cognitive functions and should not be treated as an object.

Sources: BBC, Huffington Post