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chimpanzees image via Shutterstock

A New York judge may have just recognised two chimps as legal persons

A university has been ordered to appear in court to provide a legally sufficient reason for detaining the two chimpanzees.

A JUDGE IN New York has issued a writ of habeas corpus, in a case brought by animal rights activists against a university, on behalf of two chimpanzees being used for research.

The writ, or court order, which names the two chimps, means Stony Brook University has to respond to the activists’ petition in court and provide a legally sufficient reason for detaining Hercules and Leo.

Activists from the Nonhuman Rights Project say this action by Supreme Court Judge Barbara Jaffe means the court has “implicitly determined that Hercules and Leo are ‘persons’”.

A writ of habeas corpus allows a prisoner to have their detention examined. Under New York State law, this only applies to human persons. This is the first time in US history that an animal has been covered by a writ of habeas corpus.

Despite claims by activists, other legal experts have said the judge may simply be using the order as a way of gathering information to aid her decision.

Law professor Richard Cupp, told Science that it would be “quite surprising if the judge intended to make a momentous substantive finding that chimpanzees are legal persons if the judge has not yet heard the other side’s arguments”.

The Nonhuman Rights Prject first filed a lawsuit against the university on behalf of the two chimpanzees in 2013. They wanted to have them transferred to a sanctuary in Florida but this was refused.

Judge Jaffe’s decision to issue the writ yesterday, however, means a hearing will now be held on 6 May, and there is still hope for Hercules and Leo.

Read: ‘Chimps are people too’ US court told>

Read: US wildlife agency to list all chimpanzees as endangered>

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23 Comments
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    Mute David Farrelly
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:01 PM

    Surely the greatest world cup embarrassment of all time

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    Mute Al coholic
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:06 PM

    It was the most awkward semi since the time I went to see brokeback mountain with me da.

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    Mute Jean Martin
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:40 PM

    oh Al……..my saggy boobs are giggling all over the place……..think how your Daddy must have felt!

    42
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    Mute PicassoRepublic
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:10 PM

    You couldnt help feel that the Germans didnt really know what else to do after 35 minutes. They definitely eased off and could have added another 5 if they had kept their foot on the gas.

    Brazil were worse than some of the countries even Ireland would consider as ‘easier nations’ .

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    Mute Laura Byrne®
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:03 PM

    This World Cup has been fascinating on so many levels… Can’t believe it’s all over on Sunday!

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    Mute Steven
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    Jul 9th 2014, 5:12 PM

    Saturday

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    Mute Conor church
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    Jul 9th 2014, 6:31 PM

    Sunday

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    Mute TOP CAT
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:05 PM

    The brazilians had a rather close shave last night.
    They were lycky it wasn’t 10-1..

    97
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    Mute David Harrington
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:37 PM

    The most ineffective defence against the Germans since the Maginot line.

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    Mute J
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:57 PM

    Good attempt but zee Germans invaded through Belgium.

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    Mute David Harrington
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:58 PM

    Hence why it was ineffective.

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    Mute Hung Xi
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    Jul 9th 2014, 5:13 PM

    Awful attempt at correcting someone J

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    Mute Andrew Haire
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:12 PM

    Blitzkrieg in sporting terms. Well done Germany.

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    Mute Johnny Downes
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:20 PM

    Whatever our attitude to them from an economic , and political standpoint, you have to admire how they played, and behaved. They took the foot off the pedal too, and spared Brazil even more grief. I reckon they could have hit a double digit score line. Their reserves would have hammered Brazil also. Fair dues to them!

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    Mute Deeteez39
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    Jul 9th 2014, 1:29 PM

    Thought David Luiz was about as useful as a switch on a shovel.

    36
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    Mute Richie Aprile
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:06 PM

    It could get worse for Brazil. They play the looser between Argentina and Holland for 3rd place. So in this order. ..Come on Holland…Come on Argentina

    35
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    Mute Shite sticks
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    Jul 9th 2014, 2:01 PM

    Would probably be worse for them if the Argies won it out though

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    Mute Shane Hickey
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:30 PM

    A well know betting brand declared a minutes silence on social media sites in honour of the death of Brazilian football. I don’t think it worked

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    Mute Raymond Depuis
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    Jul 9th 2014, 3:31 PM

    Brazilians are already denying the Goalocaust ever happened

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    Mute Niall o' Sullivan
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    Jul 9th 2014, 2:04 PM

    Thoroughly enjoyed it tbh. Brazil is normally everyones second favourite team in the WC, but this time they didn’t deserve to get as far as thy did.

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    Mute Brian Johnson
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:24 PM

    Über Krauting!

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    Mute THE REBEL ONE™
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:45 PM

    There’s only one thing worse than being Brazillian this day and that’s being Brazillian and having a ticket for a Garth Brooks concert as well so it’s not that bad for them maybe after all. ;-). ;-))

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    Mute Ronan
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    Jul 9th 2014, 5:37 PM

    Brazil will not win a World Cup for 100 years I guess now, I fear they have same problem now that Mayo football has for years trying to win all Irelands. Wait and see if I’m correct..oh. :-)

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    Mute Ashley Brown
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:53 PM

    The “Vernichtung” (literally to make nothing of) of Brazil by Germany.

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    Mute Andrew Haire
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    Jul 9th 2014, 1:02 PM

    Not cricket old boy.

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    Mute Niall o' Sullivan
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    Jul 9th 2014, 2:03 PM
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    Mute J
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    Jul 9th 2014, 12:59 PM

    Let’s hope zee Germans don’t get tripped by a bad winter this time and opening up hostilities on multiple flanks.

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    Mute David Thomas
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    Jul 9th 2014, 4:47 PM

    The Germans are still practising blitzkrieg

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    Mute Fernando Schutz
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    Jul 9th 2014, 2:53 PM

    What happened last nite Was Inexplicable
    But I’m more concerned with the victims of malasian Airlines at The time

    #proud#tobeBrasileiro#

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