Hawaii Supreme Court Hears Elephant Rights Case

The Hawaii Supreme Court heard arguments over whether Honolulu Zoo elephants Mari and Vaigai can use habeas corpus to challenge their confinement and seek transfer to an accredited sanctuary. The Nonhuman Rights Project says the elephants’ intelligence and autonomy give them a right to liberty under state law; Honolulu argues that elephants are not “persons” under the law and that questions about zoo captivity belong to lawmakers, not the courts. The justices questioned both sides about the legal and practical reach of recognizing animal liberty rights, including whether such a precedent could apply to other species. Lower courts had rejected the petition, and a ruling for the elephants could make Hawaii the first state whose highest court allows elephants to challenge their confinement in court.