Chimps do not have human rights after all, court rules

Chimpanzees do not have human rights and do not have to be released from captivity, a US court has ruled.

The New York state appeals court said that caged chimpanzee Tommy cannot be recognised as a "legal person" as he cannot "bear any legal duties", the BBC reports.

A campaig group had argued that chimps have such similar characteristics to humans that they deserve basic rights, including freedom. The Nonhuman Rights Project said it will appeal against the decision, citing other New York appeals court rulings it says are at odds with yesterday's verdict.

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The campaigners had argued that a privately owned chimpanzee named Tommy was unlawfully imprisoned in New York, and should be transferred to a sanctuary in Florida.

Tommy, the chimpanzee at the heart of the case, is believed to be about 40 years old. A former entertainment chimp, he was given to Patrick Lavery about 10 years ago.

Lavery is said to be pleased with the outcome of the case. According to Fox News, he told the court Tommy lives in a seven-room enclosure in Gloversville with lots of toys and other "enrichment."

In its ruling, the five-judge panel said: "So far as legal theory is concerned, a person is any being whom the law regards as capable of rights and duties.

"Needless to say, unlike human beings, chimpanzees cannot bear any legal duties, submit to societal responsibilities or be held legally accountable for their actions.''