A Buenos Aires court
has granted a writ of habeas corpus for Sandra, a female
orangutan who has lived behind bars in the Argentine capital's
zoo for 29 years.
The court found the primate is a "non-human subject" and
not merely an object, and as such is being held illegally.
The Cassation Court upheld the writ of habeas corpus filed
on behalf of the animal by the Association of Lawyers for Animal
Rights (AFADA).
The writ argued that Sandra feels affection, mourns losses,
perceives time, and is capable of learning, communicating, and
transmitting what she has learned.
Therefore, being imprisoned is a violation of her rights as
a "non-human subject", AFAD argued successfully.
As a result, Sandra may soon be liberated into a nature
reserve in Brazil, sources said.
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