Summary
Petitioners including the Nonhuman Rights Project filed two petitions for habeas corpus on behalf of chimpanzees Tommy and Kiko, asking the court to declare them legal entities with rights. In a joint hearing in 2017, the Nonhuman Rights Project argued in the New York Supreme Court that chimpanzees Tommy and Kiko should have legal personhood and are entitled to protection due to their intellect and capabilities. However, the NhRP effort was repeatedly denied and rejected because their person-like characteristics did not render them “persons” and the petitions were successive habeas proceedings which were not warranted or supported by any changed circumstances, the court said.